Category Archives: Music

Tosca, Metropolitan Opera, New York

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There are certain opera houses around the world that are a mecca for music fans. The Metropolitan Opera has been an institution in New York City for 128 years, with a great stage that has been home to many legendary singers.

It felt like fate when I found out Puccini’s Tosca would be on at the Met whilst I was in New York. I performed professionally in the opera as a teenager and wrote an extended dissertation on the topic, it is a magnificent work that has won my heart many times over.

Despite the early performance of noon on a Saturday, the auditorium was full and raring to go. Everyone was thrilled to see the stage transformed into the Italian chapel in which the famous story begins.

The music, of course, is totally sublime and sweeps you up with its great soaring motifs and dramatic melodies. Riccardo Frizza does a fine job in the pit leading the strong and passionate Met Orchestra through the stupendous score. Singers Patricia Racette and Roberto Alagna are tremendous as the leading couple, in particular Alagna’s emotional and rich tenor tone suits the kind and loyal role of Cavaradossi. George Gagnidze as Scarpia is chillingly menacing, commanding the stage and gripping the audience with a charismatic malice. Director Paula Williams has chosen to really emphasise the evil and repulsive character adding brilliantly foul nuances to the role.

I loved the grandiose and bold staging of this classic work and, even though I know this opera better than any other, this production made a big impact on me – it displays a new insight into the tragic narrative.

It was a real highlight of my New York trip and I am immensely pleased that I was able to squeeze it into my busy schedule.

Continues until 28 December 2013, book here.

www.metoperafamily.org

The Commitments, Palace Theatre

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The Commitments was widely anticipated, selling out the first month of performances before the production even began. A few months on and the musical is flailing, with empty seats and consequently less energetic audiences.

This first staging of Roddy Doyle’s bestselling novel (and later film) should delight the loyal fans and entertain newcomers. The show, though lacking meaty storyline, has a satisfying and soulful score which the cast inject with enthusiasm right from the opening number. The audience watch as a group of overexcited music-mad teenagers form a band, with all the mishaps and mayhem that comes with such an undertaking.

An evocative backdrop by Soutra Gilmour sets the scene of rainy Dublin in 1987. Jimmy (Denis Grindel) bursts onto the stage, the manager and founder of a new band, The Commitments, which aims to bring soul to the people of Ireland. This band is a wild and worrisome bunch that needs reining in. Killian Donnelly is the obvious star of the show, with his breathtakingly gravelly and powerful voice that shakes the theatre with soul and fervour. His voice is so good I found myself excusing his foul character. Natalie Hope who stands in for Stephanie McKeon as Natalie gives a great performance as the leading lady in the female trio of backing singers, confident and strong. The rest of the band are impressive too, playing and acting with equal conviction and vigour.

I was surprised to see that director Jamie Lloyd had not been more inventive with the material. His productions are usually more memorable and striking artistically. With a view to extending the run, interestingly, the producers are removing all profanities from the script in the hope that it will encourage families and bigger groups to book tickets. But with this decision do they risk eliminating the gritty passion so present in the brash original? Either way the score is worth buying a ticket for, it’s not groundbreaking theatre, but a fun night out nonetheless.

More information and book tickets here: www.thecommitmentslondon.com

iD, Cirque Eloize, Peacock Theatre

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I’m sure we aren’t the first or the last people to turn up at the wrong theatre. For those that don’t know… Sadler’s Wells has a younger sister venue, the Peacock Theatre in Holborn. After a rather stressful sprint to the correct theatre we settled in for an awe-inspiring performance.

Cirque Eloize is an energetic and passionate production company – in their new show iD they combine hip hop dance and circus acrobatics in an organic urban fusion which is lively and invigorating to watch.

They began by exploring the genre of hip hop dance, moving fluidly into other forms of movement and performance. The show has little narrative, instead the cast are each given their chance to display their individual talent… whether it be on a bicycle, in the air or with ten juggling balls. The cast reconvene often to present impressive group acts, for example a trampoline sequence which drew audible gasps from the audience as the performers threw themselves around with great aplomb.

There are poetic moments too… contortionist Emi Vauthey and skater Jon Larrucea perform a beautiful piece towards the end of the evening that demonstrates skill and creativity.

The music, which sadly wasn’t live, was immersive and powerful with compulsive rhythms and insistent melodies. The simple but versatile set, designed by Robert Massicotte, provides a quirky backdrop which constantly reinvents itself.

Cirque Eloize are a team of super-talented artists with a strong sense of character and motivation. Their infectious energy ensures the audience have a good time, every night.

Continues until 19 October, book here.