If you think Opera is boring think again; Opera North at its genius best. The staging and musical direction for me was as good as it gets, in equal measures a proper feast for the eyes and the ears, this was true of both operas.
In the opening opera La Vida Breve, we have a transvestite, a grandma, a violent lothario, a drug dealing flamenco singer, all the disturbing action takes place in a rundown wedding dress factory. Anne Sophie Duprel as Salud was excellent, her acting and vocal will be memorable especially so the last tragic act of suicide. I really enjoyed the surprising characterisation portrayed and sang brilliantly of David Norman. Yes this Opera was weird but it was wonderful too.
Now for Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, comedy but opera style, so there is a death naturally. We see the avarice of family contriving to get the will altered by Gianni Schicchi the family lawyer. The highlight was the famous aria ‘O mio babinno caro’ where Schicchi daughter (Jennifer France) sings to him beautifully when his plans come to fruition, ‘Oh my beloved Father’.
Christopher Alden’s direction of both Operas might not be to every ones taste, but Nottingham seemed to really enjoy their ‘alternative’ night, I know I did.
Review by Ann Taylor
