Results tagged “opera”

OPERA
Don Giovanni
Royal Opera House
5/5

IN A NUTSHELL
A pitch-perfect production that was immensely enjoyable despite people fiddling with their mobiles and chatting, writes Jennifer Carter

There was no red carpet and the photographer posse was a bit on the small side but Canary Wharf still put on a good show as it hosted the world premiere of First Night.

The film, starring Richard E Grant and Sarah Brightman, had its first official airing at Cineworld West India Quay last night.

By Yvonne Gordon.

An all-male version of Gilbert and Sullivan opera Iolanthe is set to open at Wilton's Music Hall.

The production, set in a public school during the second world war, was first staged last year to sell-out audiences at the Union Theatre Southwark.

An opera planned for a vacant Royal Docks site has been given approval despite concerns by residents that it could provoke rowdy behaviour.

John Webster's dark masterpiece The Duchess Of Malfi will be performed in front of 350 people on 13 dates next month.

OPERA
Carmen
The O2 arena
3/5

IN A NUTSHELL
Problems with the scale and translation of this production, coupled with some lazy singing, frustrated the efforts of the majority of the cast.

Pop star turned opera star Darius Campbell will be taking the lead in role in the first opera to be staged at The O2.

Campbell, formerly known as Darius Danesh when he competed on the X Factor, will play Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen, which opens at the arena next month.

He's sold millions of records and sung in some of the world's most famous opera houses but for Andrea Bocelli there's plenty more to do.

The Italian tenor has established himself as one of the world's foremost operatic talents and returns to The O2 arena in November.

CONCERT
McBeth, St James' Piccadilly
4/5

IN A NUTSHELL
This was very strong performance featuring a selection of beautiful voices but would have been better formed in full costume on a stage.

Katherine Jenkins heads back to The O2 next year and it's fair to say she's excited about it.

The Welsh mezzo-soprano brings her first solo tour to the arena on March 13, coming back to the venue she played last year with ballerina Darcy Bussel in the Viva La Diva show.

"If you just read the play late at night you can feel the evil," says east London soprano Beatrice Danesfield as she enthuses about her forthcoming role in English Opera Singers' performance of Verdi's Macbeth later this month.

Danesfield, who lives in Bow, believes the concert, at St James' Church in Piccadilly offers Wharfers a chance to hear something different.