Satyagraha
English National Opera, in rep until 26 March
When Philip Glass’s opera Satyagraha was first put on by ENO in 2007, I found it intolerably tedious, to the point where I felt that if I didn’t leave the theatre I might start to scream. Yet I came across quite a few people, some of them serious non-trendies whose views I share over a wide range of artistic and other matters, who found it compelling, moving, thought-provoking. So I felt that I needed to go back when it was revived last week for seven performances, having been by far the most successful contemporary opera that ENO has mounted. Obviously I was dreading the occasion, obviously I hoped I would change my mind.
And I did change my mind. I am by no means convinced that Satyagraha is a masterpiece, nor that I would want to see it many more times.
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