Opera North’s The Queen of Spades
Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Opera North
The Lowry, 18 November 2011
Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts as Herman
Man, Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts has a wonderful voice.
It is a silvery, gracefully curved, beautifully proportioned, ornamental work of art.
Lloyd-Roberts takes the lead role of Herman, an ill-fated lover. Another joy of this sterling production was the masked ball in Act Two, the costumes were very fetching indeed.
At the base of the whole thrilling drama – it’s a dysfunctional love story with a dash of darkness, not unlike Swan Lake – is Tchaikovsky’s commanding score, which is like a giant wave or a hand of God. Those poor mortals who live and love, seemingly under their own steam, they are in thrall to this music, its passion and emotion animates their features, propels them towards each other, seals their fate.
This is a powerful production of an emotionally complex opera, rich in sensuality and spirituality. Its next outing is in London on 22 November, details here.
Explore posts in the same categories: Opera review, Theatre reviewTags: Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts, Opera North, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Tchaikovsky, The Queen of Spades
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