<<  -- 4 --  Malcolm Miller    ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT

Much credit for the success and sheer fun of the occasion is due to the director Jeremy Gray's production which kept the drama alive, with witty touches to match Arthur Jacobs' comic rhymes, stylish choreography in the ensembles, and plenty of activity from minor characters, including a juggler. The conductor Simon Over maintained an intrepid pace throughout and was supported well despite a rather patchy string section.

Bampton's British revival of Storace's Comedy of Errors follows recent performances in Batignano and Wexford. Its qualities auger well for repeats within another opera festival - such as the Covent Garden festival - provided a professional orchestra may be found. And there is a case for a recording to fill a gap in the catalogues. Meanwhile, Bampton's Classical Opera is applauded for their adventurous spirit. Next year it is to stage The Philosopher's Stone, of which the UK concert premiere at the Hampstead and Highgate Festival 2000 was reviewed here by me recently.