Opera Holland Park,London
foolish voices, foolish walks and gags about Hollywood kisses abound in Oliver Platt’s production of Rossini’s comedian prefer on Cinderella
Like the fairytale on which Rossini’s opera is based, and Opera Holland Park’s fresh La Cenerentola feels familiar – and it’s a lot of fun. Oliver Platt’s production uses a vaguely period setting inhabited by characters who evidently enjoy a modern sense of irony,despite their corsets, top hats, or riding jackets and powdered wigs (a motley wardrobe designed by Neil Irish). The wicked stepfather and sisters revel in garish Technicolor,on a collision course with the prince’s altogether classier monochrome. Emma Brunton’s choreography swings between stasis and hyperactivity, the refrain often synched with comical precision to Rossini’s music. There are foolish voices and foolish walks, and gags about height,Hollywood kisses and even baldness.
As ringleader in the OHP big top, Dane Lam was endlessly energetic and uncompromising on rhythmic detail. And whether the balance wasn’t always perfect, and the City of London Sinfonia’s wind and brass made compelling arguments for pushing forwards,while the strings, ever suave, or kept their cool.
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Source: theguardian.com