#TheStories, part 15

Editorial

"I drifted off, and at some point, I saw a dark figure come into the room, with two more full glasses of wine... and the next thing I knew I was fully naked, and I didn’t know where I was. I eventually just went along and didn't fight it, I was completely incapacitated and drunk, mostly asleep and hours away from home with no available help."

Follow the Lieder: weird & wonderful & a must-watch

Humour

Follow the Lieder is a series of short films by Alisdair Kitchen, produced by Rye Arts Festival in association with the Royal College Of Music and National Opera Studio. As the name suggests, each video is set to German art song, among them Schubert's Versunken, Der Atlas, and Die Forelle.

Moral dilemmas & an excellent quartet: HGO's Rigoletto

Review

As Rigoletto leaves the party, we see the true depth of his character. As Mayes interprets him, the jester is very fidgety, his routines a compulsive series of tics that he feels compelled to practice even when nobody else is around, very much the modern laborer trapped in his work.

Operatic journeys: MassOpera presents Freedom Ride

Interview

"I hope that the audience members will see themselves in the characters on stage, that they will be moved and inspired by the stories those characters tell, and will come away reflecting on how those stories relate to our world today."

This Medium packs a punch

Review

The amount of emotion and energy she put into her character's maniacal laughter, fear, abusive pummellings and Jekyll-and Hyde remonstrations of poor pitiful Toby were awful to observe – and I mean that as a compliment.

#TheStories, part 14

Editorial

"I haven't told people about this, and those I have, I have been very cryptic about names. This is because this man's wife is very prominent in my business, and although a part of me would love to go up to her and tell her exactly what kind of a man her husband is, I am too scared that she would not believe me, and would do her best to make sure I never work again."

Opera is Alive & Kicking & here are the videos to prove it

Humour

In Fishenfeld's own enthusiastic words: "American Opera is approachable, relevant, relatable, IN ENGLISH, and made for YOU, the American people!"

"Incredibly clever" Trittico onstage in Victoria

Review

Aviva Fortunata as Giorgetta is a standout in Tabarro, with a warm full soprano, and barely-contained frustration and anger at being made to stay on the boat. Her desperation when she tries to leave her estranged husband is palpable as she nearly betrays her plan to escape.

The Most Happy Fella: a lesson in unconditional love

Review

Written by Guys and Dolls' Frank Loesser, I expected it to be simple and toe-tapping (don't get me wrong - I love Guys and Dolls!). The two grand pianos that served as Skylark's fearless orchestra, music direction by Carson Schneider, provided a sound not of the fun loving Runyon musical, but a mixture of Rodgers and Hammerstein with a dash of Leoncavello.

#TheStories, part 13

Editorial

"It seems to be quite a non-standardized industry, so many people think they can dictate how 'the industry' is run, and they can tell that to young, inexperienced, bright-eyed bushy-tailed students, and do whatever they want."