Early Music Today

Early Opera Reviews

By Tom Walker

'...Lights, projectors and a few simple props were employed to great effect, and the singers – somehow – maintained a sense of drama and movement despite the small amount of space at their disposal...'

'...The second act contains some of Handel’s most ravishingly beautiful music, and the singers were excellent. Countertenor William Towers showed off a dazzling array of tonal colours as Orlando, giving the hero a real other-worldly quality. Clear-toned soprano Joana Seara was enchantingly playful and flirtatious as Dorinda. Rebecca Ryan, with a fuller, heavier voice, was imposing as Angelica with excellent support from Christopher Ainslie as Medoro and Nicholas Warden as Zoroastro. The small orchestra conducted by Gary Cooper, and literally centre-stage, were dynamically sensitive and rhythmically supple in their accompaniment...'

'...Musically and dramatically the performers seemed utterly in tune with the opera’s exploration of the human psyche, its characters represented as complex individuals grappling with a strange and hostile world. Much credit must go to the director and set designer Alessandro Talevi for what was a thoroughly satisfying and engaging exploration of a rich and beautiful work...'

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