The Flying Dutchman - English National Opera, 28 April 2012 (first night)
It seems Jonathan Kent has been watching a few classic German opera DVDs. His new The Flying Dutchman (yes, it's sung in English) for ENO bravely departs from straightforward story telling -but only to recycle some of the weariest cliches in Wagner Oper. Slick West End-worthy production values and a few satisfying musical aspects do not entirely compensate.
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Parsifal - English National Opera, 16 February 2011
It’s not often these days that ENO let actual trained opera directors loose on their productions. This Nikolaus Lehnhoff revival is a reminder of happier days, but the welcome is a qualified one. Time may stand still in Monsalvat but it marches swiftly on in the world of opera. Cardboardy sets and holiday camp lighting lend the 1999 production an old-fashioned look unworthy of the thoughtful ideas behind it. It didn't help that the house lights were up high enough to read a book for the whole evening.
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