<<  -- 5 --  Roderic Dunnett    MANY PLEASURES

But the many pleasures easily exceeded the drawbacks. Jayne Wilson's Rusalka makes a wonderful sound firing on all cylinders -- even if unsatisfactorily recessed in softer passages (surely neither the orchestra's nor the conductor's fault). David Watkin-Holmes made a beautifully-voiced Prince, visually as well as vocally flexible, glorious on (nearly) all high notes, and ultimately believable. Marie Vassiliou (The Princess) was steely of stance and pretty thrilling to listen to. Christopher Parke's Gamekeeper -- baritone reaching up to tenor (or vice-versa) in the folksily breezy opening to Act II -- was a delightful surprise.

The wood-nymph trio, including Icelandic mezzo Silla Knudsen and a glowing alto, Michèle Dick, handled their scene notably well (the children too, by and large); there was a tip-top Act II ballet, riddled with beautiful ensemble and imaginative solo touches.

Stowe's choir (Chorus Master : Martin Quinn) was wholly admirable : well-prepared ('Kvetiny bile' was fabulously delivered), spiritedly moved, stylish in exit and robust in every department (including tenors); the offstage-onstage female choruses were equally satisfying.

Top prize, arguably, to the pairs of flutes and clarinets (whom Dvorák casts almost as characters in themselves), and to some fine strings (cellos not least) who time and again (for the Prince's closing demise violins and violas were on top form) made this wonderful opera sing.

Further performances : Thu 9, Sat ll Aug at 6.00 (long dinner interval); Sun 12 Aug at 3.00. Phone: +44 (0)1280 848933