Denni Sayers News Today

A semi-staging of the composer’s final opera paired with the second act of his famous ballet reunited the two works that were written as a double bill. Vassily Petrenko shaped the music with refinement and Maria Motolygina was a deeply touching Iolanta

Review: Opera North’s Masque of Might, Leeds Grand Theatre, Friday 6th October 2023

Soprano Anna Dennis is a compelling presence at the heart of David Pountney’s exuberant production – a collage of some 40 pieces of Purcell’s music. But it risks losing its serious message in the glories of the music

Kent’s direction is interesting but leans into melodrama, with Ball offering some glitzy big-name introspection and the plot itself overflowing into sexual ambiguity and implied promiscuity. Aspects of Love is, essentially, an indefensibly problematic musical soap opera that looks exquisite but didn’t need to be revived.

The new British musical runs until 23 October

The show runs in Greenwich

They recreated a famous scene from Mary Poppins