This weekend I saw the ENO’s production of Nico Muhly’s Marnie. Based on a novel by Winston Graham which later became a Hitchcock film, the story is full of suspense and drama. Visually beautiful and very cleverly staged, using moving set pieces and projections to provide film-like transitions between scenes, the production was rich to look at, full of eye-catching tableaus and scenes. The costuming was very effective as well, particularly on Marnie herself and her quartet of Shadow Marnies who followed her throughout the show.

Musically, I found the work a little too predictable at times - I wanted something fresh, something with more suspense and dramatic intensity. The music was often quite beautiful, but didn’t quite serve the level of grimy darkness the story has. The vocal writing, too, seemed awkward. Often the phrases were bogged down by a huge number of words in the libretto and it seemed that the density of the orchestration made it very difficult to understand the text.

That being said, there were some wonderful moments, especially with the chorus. I particularly liked the music written for the Shadow Marnies, and actually would have liked to hear more from them.

I wasn’t convinced this particular story was served well by becoming an opera. The sense of suspense and unease which characterises the film didn’t transfer onto the stage at all. Particularly, the climactic scene of the novel, a hunt on horseback, seemed somewhat stunted. It was very creative and clever staging, with projected horses running and action on stage from dancers. However, it just didn’t read with the level of intensity it seemed to require.

Overall, the whole piece lacked the suspense and drama I wanted from a story like this - the music too, seemed without the suspense and darkness needed to portray a story like this one.

The production had a huge cast, including a full chorus who directed the drama on stage as crowds of office workers, hunters and party goers. Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke starred as Marnie. She navigated the long and difficult role with vocal nuance and confidence. I would have liked a little more intensity from her on stage at times - her characterisation of Marnie seemed to lack an underlying sense of unease.

Her husband (Mark Rutland) was played by Daniel Okulitch, who had wonderful voice which he used to great expressive effect and drama. His Mark Rutland was a very complex and interesting character, fully realised on the stage, both reprehensible and pityable. Also worth mentioning was countertenor James Laing as Terry. He was slimey and easy to dislike, balanced with beautiful, clear singing and excellent musicianship.

The musical level from all the performers was very high, led by Martyn Brabbins in a colourful reading of the lush musical language Muhly created for this piece.

Marnie runs at English National Opera through December 3. For deatils and ticket information, follow our box office links below.