| Garsington Opera - Garsington | 19 January 2020 |
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Performance reviews
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FantasioGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Elogio de la locura |
 30 Jul 19 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
Offenbach’s bicentenary year Garsington Opera Fantasio |
| 25 Jun 19 / Seen and Heard |
First staged production of Offenbach's Fantasio at Garsington |
| 19 Jun 19 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
Clown court |
| 18 Jun 19 / Bachtrack |
Jennifer France is outstanding as Elsbeth |
| 17 Jun 19 / Music OMH |
Don GiovanniGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Garsington Opera’s alert and intriguing Don Giovanni production |
| 24 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
Don Giovanni turns painter in Garsington Opera's brilliant take on Mozart |
| 28 Jun 19 / The Oxford Times |
Mozart’s terrifying opera buffa isn’t just playing it for laughs |
| 11 Jun 19 / Henley Standard |
more reviews [+]
This was the ladies’ evening |
| 4 Jun 19 / Music OMH |
A violent splash of black paint triggers the D minor chord which initiates the Overture |
| 4 Jun 19 / Opera Today |
Michael Boyd’s production of Don Giovanni is a damp squib |
| 1 Jun 19 / Independent |
This isn’t a classic Garsington presentation |
| 1 Jun 19 / Classical Source |
A vague staging of Mozart’s dark comedy |
| 1 Jun 19 / The Stage |
Mixed emotions: a flawed but interesting Don Giovanni from Garsington Opera |
| 1 Jun 19 / Bachtrack |
The Bartered BrideGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Natalya Romaniw campe une extraordinaire Mařenka |
| 21 Jul 19 / Anaclase |
Garsington Opera’s The Bartered Bride is a winning summer’s evening |
| 12 Jun 19 / Seen and Heard |
Charm and wit in assured English village staging |
| 4 Jun 19 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
Paul Curran’s direction is sensitively handled |
| 4 Jun 19 / Classical Source |
A brilliant The Bartered Bride to open Garsington's 2019 30th anniversary season |
| 3 Jun 19 / Opera Today |
The opera festival at the top of its game |
| 2 Jun 19 / The Stage |
An exuberantly performed, perfectly pitched first show of the season |
| 2 Jun 19 / Broadway World |
Ambridge meets Ealing in this jolly update |
| 2 Jun 19 / Telegraph |
The most brilliantly choreographed display of acrobatics imaginable |
| 1 Jun 19 / Independent |
Anyone expecting a folksy Moravian setting might be briefly disappointed |
| 1 Jun 19 / Music OMH |
Czech tale turns into a very English caper |
| 31 May 19 / Evening Standard |
Czech mate: a hilarious and immaculately executed Bartered Bride at Garsington |
| 31 May 19 / Bachtrack |
The Turn of the ScrewGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Erlkönigs Lockgesang schwirrt durch die Nacht |
| 19 Jul 19 / FAZ |
Garsington’s admirable flucidation of psychologically and emotionally dark The Turn of the Screw |
| 13 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
Deft, elegant and genuinely chilling |
| 11 Jul 19 / The Spectator |
more reviews [+]
Sophie Bevan's Governess was passionately sung |
| 9 Jul 19 / Music OMH |
A terrific, and terrifying, The Turn of the Screw at Garsington |
| 9 Jul 19 / Opera Today |
Even in broad daylight, Garsington’s The Turn of the Screw is a brilliantly chilling affair |
| 7 Jul 19 / The Observer |
A beautiful and unsettling piece of theatre |
| 4 Jul 19 / The Guardian |
The staging does this creepy masterpiece proud |
| 3 Jul 19 / Classical Source |
Goosebumps at Garsington: an outstanding, shadowy Turn of the Screw |
| 3 Jul 19 / Bachtrack |
The Skating RinkGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 15 | |
This complex modern drama, brilliantly sung, is a frozen asset |
| 15 Jul 18 / The Sunday Times |
The Skating Rink grows in intensity with each act |
| 15 Jul 18 / The Observer |
An exotic new mystery thriller is Garsington's final opera of 2018 |
| 14 Jul 18 / What's on Stage |
more reviews [+]
The Skating Rink is not as engaging and stimulating as it could be |
| 10 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
Prosaic words and music fail to make magic on ice |
| 10 Jul 18 / Evening Standard |
Strong performance of a new opera with a very striking voice, inspired by Roberto Bolano's novel |
| 9 Jul 18 / Planet Hugill |
The Skating Rink is not as engaging and stimulating as it could be |
| 9 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
With its blazing sunshine, there could not have been a more appropriate day for the premiere of this work |
| 9 Jul 18 / Music OMH |
Shivers up and down the spine |
| 7 Jul 18 / Bachtrack |
Finely observed |
| 7 Jul 18 / The Stage |
The whole received a strong performance from both cast and orchestra |
| 7 Jul 18 / Opera Today |
A superb cast can't save a thin plot and banal libretto |
| 7 Jul 18 / Independent |
An intriguing experiment in neo-noir that pays off handsomely |
| 7 Jul 18 / Telegraph |
Smart murder mystery opera is unfussy and clear |
| 7 Jul 18 / The Guardian |
Grant Doyle as Enric sings with burnished tone throughout and is dramatically effective |
| 6 Jul 18 / Classical Source |
CapriccioGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 20 | |
Le niveau d’excellence du plateau vocal force l’admiration et appelle les hourras! |
| 9 Jul 18 / Anaclase |
No contest |
| 2 Jul 18 / The Critics' Circle |
A little bit of magic: Soprano Miah Persson in Richard Strauss's opera |
| 28 Jun 18 / The Epoch Times |
more reviews [+]
It was Music which ‘won’ in the end |
| 26 Jun 18 / Music OMH |
Many musical rewards in Capriccio at Garsington |
| 14 Jun 18 / Seen and Heard |
Strauss’s last opera is a ‘whim whim’ for Wormsley festival |
| 11 Jun 18 / Henley Standard |
A little bit of magic: Miah Persson in Richard Strauss's Capriccio at Garsington |
| 11 Jun 18 / Planet Hugill |
Miah Persson excels in Capriccio |
| 11 Jun 18 / The Times |
Mozart’s forces of darkness and light fight it out alongside voluptuous Strauss on the lawns at Garsington |
| 10 Jun 18 / The Observer |
Music and words in operatic struggle |
| 8 Jun 18 / Oxford Mail |
Garsington makes as good a case as you can for Strauss's frothy Capriccio |
| 7 Jun 18 / The Spectator |
A rare production of Strauss's final opera and a sophisticated summer treat |
| 6 Jun 18 / What's on Stage |
Garsington gives stimulating performance of Strauss’s Capriccio |
| 6 Jun 18 / Seen and Heard |
Makes a profound impression |
| 5 Jun 18 / The Stage |
Ingeniously controlled chaos |
| 5 Jun 18 / Independent |
On occasion things are a little too serious, but overall Richard Strauss’s ensemble piece plays out with nuance and verve |
| 5 Jun 18 / The Times |
A gentle, sympathetic Capriccio at Garsington |
| 4 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
The poignancy of triviality |
| 4 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
Miah Persson’s beautifully judged Countess is discreet without a hint of sphinx-like remoteness |
| 3 Jun 18 / Classical Source |
A sweet and beautiful confection |
| 3 Jun 18 / Telegraph |
FalstaffGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
The most cheerful and warmhearted production of Verdi’s final opera I have seen |
| 25 Jun 18 / Express |
Sister suffragette |
| 24 Jun 18 / Forum Opéra |
Falstaff in the 'back garden'? Blooming good! |
| 24 Jun 18 / Daily Mail |
more reviews [+]
A list of today’s great Falstaffs should now include Henry Waddington |
| 21 Jun 18 / Music OMH |
Garsington Opera transfers Falstaff from Elizabeth pomp to Edwardian pompousness |
| 20 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
The pace is terrific |
| 20 Jun 18 / Classical Source |
Verdi's comic farewell in a fine new production by Garsington Opera |
| 20 Jun 18 / What's on Stage |
You will rarely hear Verdi’s intricate ensembles delivered with such rapport between pit and stage, nor the drama paced so effectively |
| 20 Jun 18 / The Times |
Songs of innocence and experience: Verdi's Falstaff at Garsington |
| 19 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
Henry Waddington gives the most convincing, moving, and beautifully-sung performance |
| 19 Jun 18 / Independent |
Die ZauberflöteGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
The overture and the great choral pieces were solemn and dignified, and the duets sparkling |
| 19 Jun 18 / Music OMH |
A production swamped by a surplus of ideas |
| 16 Jun 18 / Classical Source |
Mozart’s forces of darkness and light fight it out alongside voluptuous Strauss on the lawns at Garsington |
| 10 Jun 18 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
Imaginative re-think on Mozart's Enlightenment |
| 9 Jun 18 / Express |
Cold and confusing |
| 7 Jun 18 / The Spectator |
Garsington’s Die Zauberflöte is more rewarding vocally than theatrically |
| 6 Jun 18 / Seen and Heard |
The orchestra is carefully blended, the chorus is terrific and the soloists uniformly impressive |
| 4 Jun 18 / The Times |
Netia Jones shows she's more than a video artist with her riveting new staging of 'Die Zauberflöte' |
| 2 Jun 18 / What's on Stage |
An enigmatic staging |
| 2 Jun 18 / The Stage |
Truth and Wisdom: a searching Zauberflöte at Garsington |
| 2 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
Netia Jones' new Die Zauberflöte opens Garsington Opera's 2018 season |
| 2 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
By setting the action in a Masonic lodge, Netia Jones leaves no space for the imagination |
| 2 Jun 18 / Independent |
Silver BirchGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Garsington’s season closes on a high note with Panufnik’s Silver Birch |
| 1 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
This community opera is cinematic in its scope and fluidity |
| 1 Aug 17 / The Times |
A real achievement |
| 1 Aug 17 / Financial Times (via Google) |
more reviews [+]
Panufnik’s music is both strong and accessible |
| 31 Jul 17 / Music OMH |
A work of beauty and hope |
| 30 Jul 17 / Classical Source |
Pelléas et MélisandeGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
La soirée n’a pas été des meilleures |
| 13 Jul 17 / Anaclase |
The main musical satisfaction of this new Pelléas et Mélisande was the intense playing of the Philharmonia Orchestra |
| 22 Jun 17 / The Spectator |
Garsington Opera’s provocative and compelling staging of Pelléas et Mélisande |
| 21 Jun 17 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Andrea Carroll makes a bewitching Mélisande in Debussy’s decadent opera |
| 21 Jun 17 / Financial Times (via Google) |
Light and shade |
| 20 Jun 17 / Bachtrack |
Andrea Carroll’s Mélisande is her UK debut and it’s an impressive one |
| 20 Jun 17 / Music OMH |
Michael Boyd directs and the Philharmonia Orchestra plays Debussy's opera |
| 19 Jun 17 / What's on Stage |
Boyd brings the opera’s dreams and mysteries into landscapes that are lit, symbolically and figuratively, with precision |
| 19 Jun 17 / Opera Today |
Fresh light on Debussy's mysterious fairytale |
| 19 Jun 17 / The Guardian |
Andrea Carroll’s exquisite performance is the highlight of this mixed staging of Debussy’s only opera |
| 19 Jun 17 / The Times |
Positively amateurish |
| 18 Jun 17 / Telegraph |
Boyd treads a fine line between realism and poetic evasiveness |
| 17 Jun 17 / Classical Source |
Il Turco in ItaliaGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Rions un peu |
| 10 Jul 17 / Music OMH |
It’s the perfect Summer evening opera |
| 5 Jul 17 / Music OMH |
Finely produced and performed Il turco in Italia at Garsington Opera |
| 3 Jul 17 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Welcome revival for a summertime crowd-pleaser that's brimming with fizz and fun |
| 1 Jul 17 / What's on Stage |
Martin Duncan’s 2011 production of Rossini’s comedy has new snap and sexiness in this revival |
| 28 Jun 17 / The Times |
Personenregie perfection: Martin Duncan's Il turco in Italia at Garsington |
| 28 Jun 17 / Bachtrack |
Sarah Tynan brought real vocal fireworks to the role of Fiorilla |
| 28 Jun 17 / Opera Today |
Le nozze di FigaroGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Cox sets the opera firmly in 18th century Spain and focuses with utmost clarity on the characters’ predicaments |
| 11 Jun 17 / Express |
Le nozze di Figaro at Garsington |
| 9 Jun 17 / Bachtrack |
Garsington Opera’s rough-edged yet consistent interpretation of Le nozze di Figaro |
| 7 Jun 17 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
This productions brings us close to the beating heart of Figaro the opera |
| 7 Jun 17 / Classical Source |
Enchanting and engaging |
| 6 Jun 17 / The Stage |
I have never known a Figaro like Joshua Bloom’s |
| 6 Jun 17 / Independent |
Douglas Boyd conducted a wonderfully vibrant, elegant, sparkling account of the score |
| 6 Jun 17 / Music OMH |
"Recreated" Figaro at Garsington delights |
| 5 Jun 17 / Opera Today |
SemeleGarsington OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | |
The Garsington Opera Orchestra, under Jonathan Cohen, brings out the full glory of Handel’s score |
| 11 Jun 17 / Express |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Verdi
28 May to 15 Jul 2020
Mozart
29 May to 2 Jul 2020
Dvorak
14 Jun to 18 Jul 2020
Beethoven
25 Jun to 17 Jul 2020
News & Articles
| Garsington Opera announces 2020 season and 2019 Paris performance |
The season will feature three new productions – Verdi’s Un giorno di regno, Mozart’s Mitridate, re di Ponto and Dvořák’s Rusalka. |
| 25 May 2019 / Opera Now |
| The old ethos and a new professionalism |
Garsington Opera is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, with four new productions at its home at Wormsley. |
| 6 May 2019 / Planet Hugill |
| Garsington Opera to team up with orchestras |
The Garsington Opera Opera will be teaming up with The English Concert and the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2020. |
| 24 Aug 2018 / OperaWire |
| Garsington's Douglas Boyd on Strauss and Skating Rinks |
Capriccio was written during troubled times in 1941, but Garsington Opera’s Artistic Director, Douglas Boyd, rejects the notion that Capriccio indicates Strauss’s ‘indifference’ to the world. |
| 15 May 2018 / Opera Today |
| Garsington Opera announces extended 2017 season |
Garsington Opera’s 2017 season will see the company present four productions and a large community opera for the first time in its history. |
| 17 Jan 2017 / Opera Now |
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