There had been difficulties with the setting of Pushkin’s tale of obsession, betrayed love, the secret of the three cards and, finally, death. So Modest,Tchaikovsky’s brother, took over and gave the world the opera we all know.
There are some problems with this new production, but this is not perhaps the place to discuss them. We merely have to admire the performance and the production as it stands. And there is much to admire. Stuart Stratford’s performance of the score made up in romantic fervour what it lacked in Tchaikovskian melodrama.
The opening scene in the park, Hermann and Lisa seeing each other, and the Love theme rising out of the orchestra; the ensuing discussion between Chekalinsky and Surin of the previous night’s gambling: all were wonderful. Excellent performances, too, from from Aled Hall & Omar Ebrahim, even if they did verge on the knock-about.
- Runs until 4 August
- Opera Holland Park