Handel's Xerxes by the English National Opera: Astonishing comedy, glorious fun

5 / 5 stars
Exerxes

NICHOLAS HYTNER's production of Handel's Xerxes has astonishing comic turns and an enormous sense of fun

XerxesXerxes at the English National Opera[William Hartston]

What is the world coming to? I pop into the Coliseum for a spot of culture in the form of a Handel opera and I come out almost four hours later, wreathed in smiles and feeling that I have been thoroughly entertained by one of the most brilliant casts of comic actor/opera singers I have seen for years. 

Nicholas Hytner's production of Handel's Xerxes is almost 30 years old and has not been seen at ENO for a decade, but has retained all its sprightliness and on this evidence has even gained strength during its long hibernation. 

The plot, even for an opera, is ridiculous. Everybody seems to be in unrequited love for everyone else. Xerxes loves Romilda, but Romilda loves his brother Arsamenes who is also loved by her sister Arsamenes. 

Anyway, Xerxes is betrothed to Amastris, who loves him though he doesn't care for her at all. To add to the confusion, Amastris is disguised as a soldier, Xerxes is played by a woman, and Arsamenes has a high-pitched counter-tenor voice which makes him sound like a woman anyway.

The ludicrous nature of all this is brilliantly seized upon in Hytner's production which plays the whole thing for laughs and succeeds to a degree that even Handel could never have believed possible. 

Quite apart from displaying gorgeously pure Handelian voices that negotiate their way through some of his most tonsil-twisting arias, the singers also show astonishing comic ability, playing the whole opera in the style of a restoration farce, with every movement and every gesture perfectly executed and timed to exploit the humorous potential of the story. 

Even Handel's long and repetitive arias become part of the fun, as each repetition becomes funnier and more extravagant than the last. Even the chorus play a large part, wandering irritatedly about the stage or exuding annoyance as the principals disrupt their sense of decorum. 

The mezzo-soprano Alice Coote leads the way both in singing and acting, with an outstanding performance as Xerxes, while Sarah Tynan is no less impressive as Romilda. 

The countertenor Andrew Watts is gloriously funny too as the hapless, helpless, hopeless Arsamenes. Whether you come to see this to enjoy Handel's glorious music or just for an evening of pure fun, you will not be disappointed. 

Xerxes runs until October 3. Call 020 7845 9300 or visit eno.org for tickets.

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