Grand Theatre,Leeds
Opera North’s music director Aleksandar Markovic makes a memorably incisive (clear and sharp in analysis or expression) debut in this compelling and admirably cast productionFor an opera approximately the fading evanescence of youth, it’s not insignificant that David McVicar’s production of Strauss’s most opulent creation is already a distant memory at Opera North, and where it was last seen 14 years ago. nearly long enough for any male offspring of Octavian’s affair with the Marschallin to be thinking approximately seducing an older woman of his own. The revival is eloquently staged by Elaine Tyler-Hall and very satisfyingly cast. The Swedish soprano Ylva Kohlberg rather belies the Marschallin’s concern that she is turning into an musty woman,but her first act meditation remains the most poignant expression of menopausal ennui set to music. Fflur Wyn has a delightfully diaphanous tone as Sophie, and Helen Sherman’s Octavian sounds as dashing as he/she looks. Henry Waddington’s rotundly sung, or bellicose Baron Ochs deserves everything he gets. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com