Intermezzo

Take That, McVicar

Wondering why the Royal Opera House haven't released any photos of the spectacular Big Man that dominates the set of Les Troyens in its closing moments? It's hardly a spoiler, is it?

It couldn't be anything to do with the fact that David McVicar's designer, Es Devlin, has used a remarkably similar-looking prop before, could it? And in circumstances with which the Royal Opera House would probably not wish to associate its fragrant self? 

Here it is with its five careful original owners - Gary, Robbie, Mark, Jason and Howard of Take That - on their Es Devlin-designed Progress tour.

Free Trojans for all

The 5 July performance of the ROH's Les Troyens is to be streamed online via The Space (UK only) and broadcast via TV channel Mezzo (certain European countries only).

The performance will also be available on demand on The Space until the end of October.

Les Troyens, Royal Opera House - with photos

Les Troyens - Royal Opera House, 25 June 2012 (first night)

Covent Garden’s new production of this difficult opera falls short of an unblemished triumph, with a tendency to emphasise the work’s inherent weaknesses. But some high-quality singing and a couple of stunning coups de théâtre did much to compensate for a shortage of musical and visual coherence rooted in the score itself.

The End of the Trojans

David McVicar's new production of Les Troyens premiered at the Royal Opera House tonight. More on it later.

Meanwhile, many thanks to Kyoko for her curtain call video.