The annual tour of renowned Opera house Glyndebourne is presenting three productions this week at Milton Keynes Theatre, all in Italian.
Milton Keynes Theatre has once again been chosen as one of just five venues to host the tour, as it has done since opening twenty years ago and this is a trio of shows which has something for everyone, writes Chris Gregg.
There are performances of Robert Carsen’s witty production of Handel's Rinaldo, Verdi’s classic Rigoletto and the tour opened with Annabel Arden’s production of Donizetti’s comedy, L’Elisir d’Amore.
L’Elisir d’Amore is an operatic 'rom com' set in a rural Italian village which follows the fortunes of the hapless Nemorino (Sehoon Moon) who lusts after the sassy and independent Adina (Benedette Torre).
She knocks him back in no uncertain terms before cocky soldier Sergeant Belcore (Matthew Durkan) rides into town and promptly proposes to her.
Nemorino is gutted and seeks the help of a visiting charlatan doctor, Dr Dulcamara (Misha Kiria) and his assitant (Maxime Nourissat). The doc sells him a 'love potion' but will it work and can he win her affections before she ties the knot?
This is a really fun and very easy to follow opera with plenty of action and great performances.
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A lot of work has gone into making this visually entertaining with an amazing stage which extends over the orchestra pit at an unsettling angle, some great choreograpy especially from Maxime Nourissat who despite being silent manages to be hilarious as a sort of bohemian clown/mime artist, hanging from telegraph poles and at one point giving birth.
Misha Kiria as the quack Dr Dulcamara is also very funny with some great jazz hands as he dances around gleefully celebrating his latest con. The lead roles are brilliantly cast with Bernadette Torre giving a believable performance as the sultry beauty Adina and Sehoon Moon bringing a great deal of warmth to and likeability to the character of Nemorino.
Naturally, the vocals are fantastic and the live orchestra, which features a harpsichord and an impressive set of kettle drums is faultless.
This is a great show whether you're a seasoned Glyndebourne regular or an operatic newbie with great music, some genuinely funny moments and a good story.
