Intermezzo

Le nozze di Figaro wigs out

Le nozze di Figaro - Royal Opera House, 16 September 2013

Now this is more like it. After the disappointing start to the ROH season with Turandot comes the best revival yet of David McVicar's 2006 production. The comedy sparkles, the social satire bites, and three and a half hours pass in no time.

9 hours of Bach for £10

Thanks to a Time Out offer, Proms-style Arena standing tickets for the nine-hour Bach Marathon at the Royal Albert Hall this Easter Monday are reduced from £29 to £10.

The mammoth programme of music and talks, devised by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, runs from 1pm to 10pm.  Here's what's scheduled:

• Motet: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (BWV 225) - Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor
• Cello Suite No 6 (BWV 1012)  - Alban Gerhardt, cello
• The Goldberg Variations (BWV 988)  - Joanna MacGregor, piano
• Christ lag in Todesbanden (BWV 4), Cantata for Easter Day - Monteverdi Choir English Baroque Soloists Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor, joined by the audience in the final Chorale (there will be a half hour training session beforehand)
• Partita No 2 in D minor (BWV 1004) - Viktoria Mullova, violin
• Organ Recital - John Butt, organ
• Mass in B Minor (BWV 232) - Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor
• Talks throughout the day will include the participating musicians and guest speakers.

I make that the equivalent of four normal concerts - effectively at £2.50 each with the discount. Bargain or what?

Worried about standing for nine hours? Unless there's a last-minute rush for tickets, there should be room to sit on the floor - small cushion/blanket advised. You will also be able to skip sections or leave between pieces - just as well, as there are only two half-hour breaks.

Rigoletto at the Royal Opera House

Rigoletto - Royal Opera House, 30 March 2012

Numerous revivals down the line, David McVicar's Rigoletto (original director nowhere to be seen) is looking as flaccid as the solitary blink-and-you'll-miss-it todger that crowns its opening orgy scene. (An orgy which, incidentally, strikes me as considerably more heterosexual than on previous outings - anyone watching closely enough to confirm?).