Laughter, it seems, is the ultimate aphrodisiac in English National Opera’s cheeky new production of Donizetti’s bel canto comedy The Elixir of Love. Transporting the action from an Italian village to WWII-era England, director Harry Fehr and conductor Teresa Riveiro Böhm make their ENO debuts with a sitcom-styled spin on the 1832 favorite. The bustling harvest festival becomes a countryside refuge for the Women’s Land Army, with overalls and pitchforks swapped for breeches and brogues.
While the concept doesn’t always land its punchlines, strong performances from a game cast keep the fizz flowing. As the lovelorn Nemorino, tenor Thomas Atkins shows off his lyrical chops, particularly in a winning rendition of the opera’s evergreen hit, “Una furtiva lagrima.” Welsh soprano Rhian Lois brings spirit and spunk to the role of Adina, the local landowner who captures Nemorino’s heart.
Of course, no elixir story is complete without a dashing rival and a meddling mountebank. Baritone Dan D’Souza struts and swaggers as the pompous Sergeant Belcore, while bass-baritone Brandon Cedel oozes comic smarm as the smooth-talking “Dr.” Dulcamara, hawking his dubious love potion to the yearning yokels.
Brass Bravura
Elsewhere on the London music scene, it was a banner week for new works showcasing the power and palette of brass instruments. Septura, the trailblazing brass septet, marked its 10th anniversary with the world premiere of Roxanna Panufnik’s Seven Heavens at Wigmore Hall. Drawing inspiration from Islamic visions of the afterlife, Panufnik’s seven-movement suite spotlights each player in virtuosic turns, from shimmering trumpet fanfares to rumbling tuba undercurrents.
Fresh off their Ivors Composer Award win, trombone quartet Bone-Afide debuted Gavin Higgins’ Black Sun in the aptly hallowed environs of Regent Hall, just off Oxford Street. The Salvation Army citadel has become a haven for brass aficionados, hosting free concerts amid the commercial hustle. Higgins’ piece, conceived as a trombone response to Damien Hirst’s fly-festooned canvas, buzzes and broods in dense, droning textures.
For the climax, Bone-Afide joined forces with the Royal College of Music Trombone Choir and Outsliders Quartet, assembling a 22-strong squadron for the closing sections of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. As the massed low brass intoned the majestic “Great Gate of Kiev” theme, one could practically feel the walls shake. A thrilling display of trombone muscle to be sure, though some may quibble that less is sometimes more.
Alchemical Arts
Still, whether in light comic opera or heavyweight brass assaults, it’s heartening to see composers and performers venturing beyond the tried-and-true to concoct new musical elixirs. As Donizetti’s lovable quack might say, that’s the true alchemy that keeps our artistic spirits evergreen. Or in the words of a certain young Nemorino:
“With but a single sigh, a loving glance, you can infuse new life in me.”
Here’s to more such infusions and revelations in the months to come, as the music world shakes off its pandemic doldrums and raises a glass to brighter horizons. The elixir of life? Perhaps the magic was inside us all along.
Fresh off their Ivors Composer Award win, trombone quartet Bone-Afide debuted Gavin Higgins’ Black Sun in the aptly hallowed environs of Regent Hall, just off Oxford Street. The Salvation Army citadel has become a haven for brass aficionados, hosting free concerts amid the commercial hustle. Higgins’ piece, conceived as a trombone response to Damien Hirst’s fly-festooned canvas, buzzes and broods in dense, droning textures.
For the climax, Bone-Afide joined forces with the Royal College of Music Trombone Choir and Outsliders Quartet, assembling a 22-strong squadron for the closing sections of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. As the massed low brass intoned the majestic “Great Gate of Kiev” theme, one could practically feel the walls shake. A thrilling display of trombone muscle to be sure, though some may quibble that less is sometimes more.
Alchemical Arts
Still, whether in light comic opera or heavyweight brass assaults, it’s heartening to see composers and performers venturing beyond the tried-and-true to concoct new musical elixirs. As Donizetti’s lovable quack might say, that’s the true alchemy that keeps our artistic spirits evergreen. Or in the words of a certain young Nemorino:
“With but a single sigh, a loving glance, you can infuse new life in me.”
Here’s to more such infusions and revelations in the months to come, as the music world shakes off its pandemic doldrums and raises a glass to brighter horizons. The elixir of life? Perhaps the magic was inside us all along.
