Otello
Welsh National Opera, Cardiff
La fanciulla del West
Royal Opera House
Otello, for me the most perfect though not the greatest of Verdi’s operas, continues Welsh National Opera’s survey of his late works, in a new production by Paul Curran. The first night was a much tamer affair than it should have been, though the performance wasn’t cautious or underprepared. Nor could one say that it was under- or miscast. Carlo Rizzi conducted a rapid but detailed account, with the orchestra on good form, though one could have wished for a stronger string section. The chorus was tremendous, with plausible movements during the opening storm scene, where often there is a lot of meaningless milling. Yet this opera, which should be one of the most upsetting in the repertoire, left me unmoved except for some moments in the latter half.
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