Il Viaggio a Reims review

“Remarkable cast”

ReviewsMar 6, 2023by George HallHackney Empire, London

A scene from Il Viaggio a Reims, by English Touring Opera, at Hackney Empire, London. Photo: Richard Hubert Smith

A scene from Il Viaggio a Reims, by English Touring Opera, at Hackney Empire, London. Photo: Richard Hubert SmithA scene from Il Viaggio a Reims, by English Touring Opera, at Hackney Empire, London. Photo: Richard Hubert SmithA scene from Il Viaggio a Reims, by English Touring Opera, at Hackney Empire, London. Photo: Richard Hubert Smith

Perfectly timed revival of Rossini’s coronation comedy makes delightful entertainment

When English Touring Opera’s former general director James Conway was planning the current spring season, there was no talk of a coronation, so his choice of an opera commissioned to celebrate the crowning of Charles X of France in 1825 was purely fortuitous. The day that Charles III goes to Westminster Abbey, the company will be performing Valentina Ceschi’s staging at the Everyman, Cheltenham.

In fact, Rossini’s comedy does not feature the ceremony itself but instead shows a group of individuals attempting the journey to Rheims, at whose cathedral French monarchs were crowned for more than 1000 years. Matching the piece’s lightly ironic tone, none of them actually reach the destination, due to a shortage of horses; instead, they spend their time at a distant hotel pursuing various amorous interests while raising the odd glass. This is probably the slightest plot that Rossini, or indeed anyone else, ever set. But he had a top-notch cast at his disposal and wrote some stupendously difficult vocal music for them. One of the remarkable things about ETO’s cast is how well they succeed in measuring up to it.

Leading the field is Susanna Hurrell as the poet Corinna, whose visionary arias are delivered with tonal beauty and expressive warmth. Luci Briginshaw captures the superficiality of fashion fanatic the Countess of Folleville. Esme Bronwen-Smith shines as Melibea – one half of the lead romantic couple – perfectly partnered by Julian Henao Gonzalez as Count Libenskopf.

Continues...

Related to this Review

Giulio Cesare review

Lucrezia Borgia review

A fun scene shows the guests from different countries revealing their national characteristics as they sing their various anthems: Edward Hawkins is particularly good value as tongue-tied Englishman Lord Sidney, who knows only one tune, which is inevitably God Save the King. But he’s matched by the Baron Trombonok (the expert Grant Doyle), who sings the tune (if not the words) of the German anthem, fiery Spaniard Don Alvaro (Jean-Kristof Bouton’s fine baritone comes in useful) and Frenchman Chevalier Belfiore (Richard Dowling) with Countess Folleville, who unite in an ancient French song because the revolutionary Marseillaise was, unsurprisingly, banned. Lucy Hall’s hotelier Madame Cortese and Timothy Dawkins’ antiquary Don Profondo, meanwhile, contribute a folksy Tyrolean duet.

Ceschi’s staging introduces a touch of republican dissent into the final pages, though it is quickly quashed. Designed by Adam Wiltshire and Cordelia Chisholm, this is a good-looking show, with particularly resplendent costumes in period style and a terrific Act I finale when an untidy pile of luggage is transformed into an enormous carriage and pair.

Conductor Jonathan Peter Kenny proves an excellent interpreter of the score, with the period-instrument musicians of the Old Street Band lending delicate luminosity to Rossini’s richly extravagant score.

Production Details

Production nameIl Viaggio a Reims

VenueHackney Empire

LocationLondon, then touring until May 27

Starts04/03/2023

Ends04/03/2023

Press night04/03/2023

Running time2hrs 50mins

ComposerGioachino Rossini

LibrettistLuigi Balocchi

DirectorValentina Ceschi

ConductorJonathan Peter Kenny

Movement directorAna Beatriz Meireles

Set designerAdam Wiltshire, Cordelia Chisholm

Costume designerAdam Wiltshire

Lighting designerRic Mountjoy

Cast includesGrant Doyle, Jerome Knox, Luci Briginshaw, Lucy Hall, Richard Dowling, Susanna Hurrell, Timothy Dawkins, Edward Hawkins, Esme Bronwen-Smith, Julian Henao Gonzalez

Technical managerRobert Laws

Production managerRyan Watson

Company stage managerBenjamin Smith

Head of wardrobeCristiano Casimiro

Head of wigsKaty Harris

ProducerEnglish Touring Opera