INDEPENDENT OPERA at Sadler's Wells · Previous Productions

Handel’s Orlando

Reviews

Musical Opinion

Independent Opera's Orlando at Sadler's Wells

By Christopher Monk

“...Our august magazine doesn’t give star ratings for reviews but if it did Independent Opera’s new Handel would be a five out of five…”

“…the constellations beamed onto the oval from above were effective and occasionally quite moving, as when one of them changed to an arrow and started drifting towards Orlando with menace and threat…”

“…This was true Handel sound though, full of verse and bounce. Intimate and personal with a genuine immediacy because we could almost touch them. From my row B seat I was no more than six feet away from the action and my ears knew it. Action to the front of the stage, emotions on your sleeve, this was almost opera as a history lesson…”

“…All five of the cast were excellent. William Towers in the title role has an effortless counter-tenor that sounds unforced and true at all times. The ornamentation, of which there is much, was a joy….”

“….Nicholas Warden is also to be congratulated on his charismatic and authoritative Zoroastro; his rich bass lent authority and gravitas to his role of arbiter. Christopher Ainslie as Medoro was again well-cast, his counter-tenor a smidge less natural perhaps but true and strong nonetheless. Finally, the ladies, Rebecca Ryan and Joana Seara as Angelica and Dorinda respectively, were full of knowing and deliciously talented singers…”