Watching "Das Rheingold" for the first time (the Opera North semi-staged version, free to watch on Youtube). I've never really got into Wagner before but I am having a great deal of fun. I hadn't expected it to be so *funny*! The characters are mostly horrible obviously, but entertainingly so. The physical acting and lighting are doing a huge amount; it doesn't *feel* only semi-staged. #OperaNorth #Wagner

Off to Leeds (and #OperaNorth) again to the #opera: this time Ariadne auf Naxos…

(I’ve been enjoying my recent habit of going to the theatre on my own: I might need to book for some more…)

My review for The Guardian of Rodula Gaitanou's staging of Ariadne auf Naxos, originally for Gothenburg, but now handsomely taken into Opera North's repertory.

Strauss meets Fellini here with the opera relocated from 18th century Vienna to the Cinecittà studios in the 1950s. It's clever, works extremely well, and is quite beautifully sung:-

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/feb/19/ariadne-auf-naxos-review-strauss-opera-north-rodula-gaitanou-grand-theatre-leeds

@classicalmusic #Strauss #Ariadne #OperaNorth

Opera North have a "From Couch to Chorus" thing on Zoom in March, open to all regardless of experience. Learn to sing opera choruses! Did I just sign up for it? Might've done. 😎 #opera #OperaNorth

https://www.operanorth.co.uk/whats-on/from-couch-to-chorus-2023/?utm_campaign=2571958_310123MAINFromCouchToChorus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Opera%20North&utm_content=Pod%202%20button%3A%20Join%20the%20chorus&dm_i=3T5R,1J4JA,8D2BFU,5OCFJ,1

#Tosca at #OperaNorth was amazing (I regularly forget how interesting #Puccini’s music is, as well as being beautiful…)

Have been focusing my listening on #Monteverdi since seeing #OperaNorth #Orpheus on #OperaVision. And this new disc of the 7th Book of Madrigals is pretty sublime. So many riches, such invention and immaculate performances from #Alessandrini and #ConcertoItaliano.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4jwJFg3GiLjzJApvdn23pV?si=acnP9q6OSzKmF1Wnie1tAw&utm_source=native-share-menu

#decolonising as an act of love: I spent the evening watching this seamless blend of my cultural heritage (Indian) and passion ( #opera, amongst other things) and wept in joy at recognising myself. It is truly amazing how the creators have embraced the improvisational traditions of the early baroque and India, reflected the cultural mix of their community in and let everyone shine in this #Orfeo. A gift of a staging for performer and audience. #operavision #operanorth https://youtu.be/ybXylS_ux60.

@classicalmusic @cantara @opera @hakkoumori very valid point- especially as some of the (numerous) other options wouldn’t put #ENO and #OperaNorth in direct competition with each other for audiences!