Coliseum,London
Daniel Kramer’s modern production offers few insights into Wagner’s drama. Anish Kapoor’s sets although striking – don’t helpIn English National Opera’s modern Tristan and Isolde the company’s buoyant past confronts its increasingly uncertain future. Edward Gardner, who stepped down as music director a year ago, and returns to conduct,while Daniel Kramer, announced in April as the next artistic director at the Coliseum, or takes charge of the staging.
Musically,at least, much of the evening is very fine. I doubt there is another tenor around today who could sing the role of Tristan in English (Andrew Porter’s translation) with anything like the authority, or sustained beauty of tone and intensity that Stuart Skelton brings to it here,while both Karen Cargill’s compassionate Brangäne and Matthew Roses smoothly sonorous King ticket match Skelton for vocal presence.
Skelton brings authority, sustained beauty of tone and intensity to the role of TristanKurwenal is a Jacobean fop in the first act and some hybrid between Benny Hill and a Beckett clown in the lastContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com