We review this latest amazing production of Handel’s standout Opera, « Partenope », by ENO at the London Coliseum, and ask – why has it taken so long, – since 2008 and then again in only 2017, for this opera to become a regular « must have » on our operatic journey?
And I have only myself to blame here. This was my first ever visit to a Handel opera. I went along in the same spirit of bewilderment and curiousity that my little kitten has, when exploring my neighbour’s garden.
« Well, it looks sort of similar, but it’s strange as well »
I don’t know why I worried. This production is fantastic! It really is! It was just « Wow! » right from the beginning. The minimalist chamber orchestra packs a real punch, with its precision and tight delivery of the flow of melodies that is the hallmark of this opera.
The staging reminded me of those modern operas that ENO loves to focus on, a pure white background with an impressive flight of stairs, to somewhere off-stage, and a large white door, almost like a warehouse – that opens – and closes. And people come and go.
Nardus Williams, a former Harewood artist, has the title role – I have seen her in several earlier ENO projects, – this is her best performance. Her melodies are phenomenal, – but I think it is her subtlety of delivery that holds the stage, and acts as as foil to the slapstick humour of Hugh Cutting, Ru Charlesworth and Jake Ingbar, who play the three suitors vying for Partenope affection.
Yes, the circular card table that brings our protagonists together throughout – is a focal point of the dialogue, and yet, the operatic and musical excellence is all about the interplay of the characters, the importance of this large and wide white staircase, the bizarre elements of the direction.
But none of that matters. This opera performance takes your breath away by the continual flow of superb melodies. I found myself humming most of them as I left for the tube, and yet again – the background symbolism of who is playing a part, and calling out to the Gods etc, almost Magic Flute in a way, is the hidden driving force of the opera.
People were happy when they left the Coliseum, and that is the main thing.
« Partenope « can be booked direct at www.eno.org.
