What's the difference between a traditional and moden opera to an enthusiast, Michael Dervan asks: "whatever it is they like, they call it traditional."
'Orpha Phelan’s Irish National Opera production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola left me with an odd question when I saw it last Saturday. What is a traditional opera production?
The connection between the production and the question is probably not immediately obvious. Phelan’s La Cenerentola, with clever, witty and sometimes spectacular designs by Nicky Shaw, is steeped in the world of fairy tales. The first act set is a pop-up story book that flattens into a carriage to carry Cenerentola off to the ball. The second act has an Alice in Wonderland feel, with giant books towering over the human love story being played out below.
What’s not to like? Well, nothing really.' ... Keep reading on The Irish Times
'Orpha Phelan’s Irish National Opera production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola left me with an odd question when I saw it last Saturday. What is a traditional opera production?
The connection between the production and the question is probably not immediately obvious. Phelan’s La Cenerentola, with clever, witty and sometimes spectacular designs by Nicky Shaw, is steeped in the world of fairy tales. The first act set is a pop-up story book that flattens into a carriage to carry Cenerentola off to the ball. The second act has an Alice in Wonderland feel, with giant books towering over the human love story being played out below.
What’s not to like? Well, nothing really.' ... Keep reading on The Irish Times