I love opera as I have said so many times, and this production of one of my favourite contemporary operas is perfect in so many ways. The music is wonderful, some mayn't quite warm to the more dark and disturbing music but I personally love it just as much as the more lighter moments. The story never fails to be interesting and entertaining, particularly with Figaro and Rosina and the characters are every bit as memorable. The costumes and sets are delightfully sumptuous, Marie Antoinette's is especially radiant and the videography contains some of Brian Large's better and more impressive work. The music is beautifully played and characterised by the orchestra and James Levine's conducting is as good as can be, while I don't think I've seen stage direction this fun or witty before. Nothing to complain about the performances either. Teresa Stratas is a superb Marie Antoinette and Marilyn Horne is hilarious. Renee Fleming and Gino Quillico are great vocally and such fun to watch as Figaro and Rosina, Quillico in a role he is more than ideal for particularly looks as though he's having a ball. As good as their performances are, Graham Clark's sinister and exceptionally well acted and sung villain of the piece threatens to steal the show from right underneath them. Overall, nothing to criticise really about this production. 10/10 Bethany Cox
