Set in the 1920s, this shrewdly observed comedy of manners captures the flaws and foibles of high society with Oscar Wilde-like wit, and no small hint of irony. Read more …
The conductor Robert Storch and his capricious wife Christine are not getting on. When Christine intercepts a love letter apparently addressed to her husband she leaps to the obvious conclusion, but has she jumped the gun? Flirtations with penniless barons, confusingly similar names, the mysterious Mitzi Meyer...it all adds up to some stormy misunderstandings and more than a few mix ups.
Intermezzo has the full, rich sounds of Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier and Salome but captures an intimacy that is impossible in such larger works. This elegant new production has been created by a team hand-picked by Scottish Opera’s Music Director Francesco Corti, with leading German soprano Anita Bader singing the role of Christine. Roland Wood, a regular company favourite, is Robert Storch and Scottish tenor Nicky Spence sings Baron Lummer.
Wolfgang Quetes’ production is a clever, witty affair, nicely matching Strauss’ busy, lavish score, which is marvellously played here under the company’s music director, Francesco Corti.
Offers many small pleasures...yet questions hang over the evening.
Cheap-looking staging...the stand-out performance comes from Nicky Spence, as the caddish Baron Lummer.
The rapid scene changes were well managed in a production that kept up its momentum throughout.
It’s a strikingly entertaining and enjoyable spectacle.
Intermezzo
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Saturday March 26, 2011, until Saturday April 2, 2011. Performances only on the 26 and 30 of March and 2 of April. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Thursday April 7, 2011, until Saturday April 9, 2011. Check website for list of events tied with the production.. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
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