Glyndebourne

So two days in the Sussex countryside were a fine end to our first week in Europe.  On Thursday afternoon the Carmen Dress rehearsal gave an opportunity to hear a splendid tenor from Billings, Montana – Brandon Jovanovich, a fine Don Jose, handsome of voice and of presence. 

And Friday morning brought an early glimpse of the new production by Laurent Pelly of Hansel and Gretel, an opera never before performed at Glyndebourne, which opens in another couple of weeks.  It was good to see the excellent American mezzo, Jennifer Holloway, having an international debut opportunity, as Hansel – and her Gretel is the utterly delightful young Slovakian soprano, Adriana Kucerova, clearly destined for success here and undoubtedly with a big career in front of her.

Friday evening was L’incoronazion di Poppea, the last performance of the run of Robert Carsen’s new production.  With Danielle de Niese in the title role and Alice Coote as Nero (seen here) we were fortunate indeed.  Emmanuele Haim conducted with her usual brio and used what one can only describe as a very full text, with much music rarely, if ever, heard.  And I have seen a good few versions of Poppea in my time. 

As always at Glyndebourne the evening was surrounded by much social activity.  Chicago was well represented in the audience with the Lyric’s Bill Mason, Andreas Melinat, and Andrew Davis.  COT board member Andreas Waldburg Wolfegg was also in for a flying visit taking a break from business.  And there was the usual assortment of distinguished luminaries from English society, mostly experienced and knowledgeable operagoers.  The Christie family were as ever wonderful hosts as Glyndebourne remains able to provide a very particular and friendly welcome to all. 

We are off to deepest France this afternoon.  It is unlikely that there will be any reports from me for the next two weeks. 

Comments

[Sarah]

"Poppea" will be broadcast as part of the Proms (#18 on 7/31), http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2008/whatson/3107.shtml#prom18. I look forward to hearing it!