Intermezzo

Curtain cull

The show almost didn't go on at the Royal Opera House tonight.

The safety main curtain jammed and the start of La sonnambula was delayed by 40 minutes while techies attempted to raise it. The audience were sent out while they fiddled around.

Eventually the problem was sorted out, but the delay meant that Lisa's second aria and the big quartet were cut. (Not to allow the audience to catch their trains, but to avoid paying the orchestra overtime it is rumoured....)

This isn't the first curtain cock-up either. Earlier this year, an entire general rehearsal was 'staged' in front of the unbudgeable safety curtain.

Time for new curtains?

La sonnambula - Royal Opera House's new cure for insomnia

La sonnambula - Royal Opera House, 2 November 2011

The Royal Opera House have hit a season low with this limp revival of Marco Arturo Marelli's uninspired production. The only high point is the suavely sung Count Rodolfo of Michele Pertusi. Wigged up and suited George Clooney style, he unexpectedly emerges as a bit of a silver fox as well as an authentic bel canto baritone of distinct flair and elegance.

The rest is another matter entirely.