A silent exit

A distractingly surreal moment during an otherwise thrillingly powerful performance of Don Carlos at Opera North in Leeds last night. At a point of high dramatic intensity, the requisite explosive gunshot sound from offstage failed to materialise so Rodrigo, for whom the bullet was intended, was forced to expire dramatically for no discernible reason. A silent but deadly attack of food poisoning? A hitherto undiagnosed heart condition? Baritone William Dazeley kept going with considerable aplomb and the audience, quite rightly, gave everyone concerned its roaring approval.