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Intelligent and Satisfying
English National Opera's new production of 'Tosca',
reviewed by ROBERT HUGILL
At first, Catherine Malfitano's new production of Tosca at the London Coliseum (seen 5 June 2010) seemed straightforwardly naturalistic. Frank Philipp Schlössmann's set for Act 1 showed Sant'Andrea della Valle with stylised naturalism, large baroque portals, the entrance grille to the Attavanti Chapel and a forest of pillars giving a distant view of the altar. The only slightly odd elements being that steps descended to the altar, rather than ascended, and that there were two curved architectural elements in the middle distance which looked out of place. Gideon Davey's costumes were similarly realistic, firmly in the late 1700s. For Act 2, Palazzo Farnese looked grimly impressive, with much marble (and quite a bit of re-use of elements from the set for Act 1); a well realised stylisation of a baroque interior...
Copyright © 7 June 2010
Robert Hugill,
London UK
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