The Tsar's Bride, Royal Opera

The Tsar's Bride, Royal Opera | reviews, news & interviews

The Tsar's Bride, Royal Opera

Rimsky-Korsakov's melodrama lacks A-list casting in semi-plausible update

by David NiceThursday, 14 April 2011

All weddings for the Russian rich end in tears: Paul Curran's updated Rimsky-Korsakov at Covent GardenAll images Bill Cooper for the Royal Opera

Long before the curtain rose on this soapy operatic tale of power and poison, one big question loomed: could director Paul Curran, could anyone, bring Rimsky-Korsakov's sweet, doomed and very Russian bride to convincing life? The music's mostly strong, and unusually singer-friendly for this composer; the historically dodgy plot's patchy, but not inimical to resetting in the queasy milieu of the new Russian rich. Given the bloodstained start in a swish Moscow restaurant, I thought Curran could be on to something, but by the end of the evening it was just a tawdry old melodrama dressed up in flashy suits.

Kevin Knight's applause-winning designs take us from penthouse roof terrace to claustrophobic palace gilt, but the ceiling surely needs to lift as Marfa spiritually soars

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Opera

Help to give theartsdesk a future! Support our GoFundMe appeal

La rondine, LSO, Pappano, Barbican review - sumptuous orchestral playing in an underrated score Puccini's 100th anniversary celebrated in style

L’étoile, RNCM, Manchester review - lavish and cheerful absurdity Teamwork to the fore in a multi-credit operatic comedy

The Pirates of Penzance, English National Opera review - fresh energy in clear-sighted G&S Tenor lead shines, and conductor finds new beauties in Sullivan's score

Rigoletto, Irish National Opera / Murrihy, Collins, NCH Dublin review - greatness everywhere Sheer perfection in Soraya Mafi’s Gilda and an Irish mezzo’s Berlioz

The Elixir of Love, English National Opera review - a tale of two halves Flat first act, livelier second, singers not always helped by conductor and director

The Sound Voice Project, Linbury Theatre review - an art installation that has strayed into an opera house A worthy project fails to ignite as art

The Tales of Hoffmann, Royal Opera review - three-headed monster feels baggier than ever Offenbach left multiple choices for his swansong, but this production lacks the key

Rigoletto, English National Opera review - another hit for Miller's Mob More tragic than gimmicky, this classic staging can still succeed

theartsdesk at Wexford Festival Opera - let's make three operas Donizetti triumphs, with help from Bernstein, Rossini, two stars and director Orpha Phelan

Albert Herring, Scottish Opera review - fun, frivolity, and fine music-making A witty production of Britten's clever comedy that's bound to leave you smiling

Le nozze di Figaro, The Mozartists, Page, Cadogan Hall review - cogency, intelligence and reverence A celebration of Mozart from the supreme stylists

Follow @theartsdesk