Vancouver Opera opened a three\u002Dperformance run of Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Saturday at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
When Britten premiered his comedic romance at the Aldeburg Festival in 1960, he confidently assumed an audience entirely familiar with the intricacies of Shakespeare’s play; contemporary audiences don’t necessarily share the same knowledge.
The mise en scene is austere, but sensitive lighting and projections add much to the overall effect. For better or worse, this production was very much the work of rising young director Aria Umezawa. The boisterous freshness of her approach was impressive but a bit laboured. Many in the audience obviously enjoyed the way the non-singing role of Puck was built up for comedic oomph; I found Kunji Ikeda’s smarmy confidence irksome and intrusive.
While Britten’s achievement is beyond reproach, he did set himself the complicated task of integrating the worlds of magic, court romance, and the low comedy — inasmuch as Shakespeare is ever really all that funny — of the mechanicals.
The delicate intricacy and exceptional charm of the music was the real star of the enterprise, due to the precise and nuanced playing that conductor Jacques Lacombe drew out of his smallish but marvellously coloured orchestral ensemble.offers fine music making in a fascinating vehicle for a large cast of mainly young singers.
Performances continue Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. For tickets and information, visitOur in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 per week, you can get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today:
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vancouver weather: Light rain and lots of wind this eveningSuper Bowl Sunday will see periods of rain and wind increasing later in the evening
Read more »
Elevator at Vancouver social housing building fixed months ahead of timeline - BC | Globalnews.ca'A broken wire function was discovered and repaired on Tuesday,' said Tanya Fader, PHS Community Services Society’s director of housing.
Read more »
B.C.'s dog library offering up free toys, treats for Vancouver's four-legged residentsOn a popular day, Jacqueline Ravel, the resident who started the library outside of her home, said she\u0027s counted 200 canines stopping by.
Read more »
Second-half stumble sends Vancouver Warriors to yet another defeatThe Warriors were on the wrong end of a 5\u002D1 second\u002Dhalf run that propelled them to a 14\u002D13 loss to the Panther City Lacrosse Club.
Read more »
Wounded, weary Vancouver Giants hoping reinforcements are on way from sick bayThe Vancouver Giants enter this week in a wait\u002Dand\u002Dsee mode when it comes to both injuries and possible suspensions. Find out more.
Read more »
B.C. skier Cam Alexander claims downhill bronze in impressive world championship debut - Terrace StandardB.C. skier Cam Alexander claims downhill bronze in impressive world championship debut
Read more »