A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Longborough Festival Opera

Thursday 2nd July 2009

This is a Crackerjack review of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Do you agree? Rate and review this event.

Opera at Longborough is always staged in unusual ways and Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was no exception with a set that remained unchanged except for additional “trees” and balloons. 
Director Richard Studer created a world of simple fantasy enhanced by Wayne Dowdeswell’s imaginative lighting effects.
Conductor Jonathan Lyness kept the pace appropriate to characters’ emotions and the Longborough Festival Orchestra gave excellent support.
It was not until the final act that we heard fully accomplished operatic singing by Charles Johnston, Theseus and Gaynor Keeble his bride Hippolyta. 
Lysander was given a thoughtful interpretation by Michael Bracegirdle with vocal colour and sensitive acting, while Demetrius’ used his strong voice to carry his part. 
Unfortunately most of the words of other singers were unintelligible and singing was of variable quality.
Among the mechanicals Mark Saberton was a convincing Bottom, but there was insufficient differentiation between the group until they performed their play dressed as recognisable characters.
Special mention has to be made of Greville Matthews who as Puck entertained and amazed us with his aerial skills before each Act. 
But overall it is the descriptive and intelligent music of Britten that makes this a worthwhile performance.

Anne Dunn

This is a Crackerjack review of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Do you agree? Rate and review this event.