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Fiona Maddocks's rating
, Macbeth the magnificent
By
Fiona Maddocks
2 Oct 2006
Full-scale passion fired the Royal Opera's revival of Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, in Richard Jones's impeccable staging, designed with drab Soviet ingenuity by John Macfarlane and conducted by Antonio Pappano as if his soul was in jeopardy.
The exceptional cast, dominated by John Tomlinson's hideous kinky Boris Ismailov and Christopher Ventris's smoothly creepy Sergey, had no weak link.
A statuesque Eve-Maria Westbroek excelled in the title role, voice thrilling, body language conveying every nuance, from depressed slut to sex-greedy hussy.
The applause at her curtain call reduced her to tears. This is Covent Garden at its finest. Be warned of gang rape, a severed head and a dead rat.
But be advised that this is high octane opera with the full rich emotional mix, brass ablaze, a titanic orchestra at full tilt - and the best party music you'll ever hear.
Lady Macbeth in rep until 17 October (020 7304 4000).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
