Douglas Boyd conducted the Philharmonia faultlessly in La traviata, and as the company’s artistic director, he is another of the pillars of Garsington’s success. He will also be conducting The Importance of Being Earnest, and brings to his work the experience of having conducted first-rate orchestras in concert halls and opera houses around the world.
There is another aspect of its productions, so often taken for granted, that really distinguishes it: the magnificent singing, and acting, of the chorus. This was apparent in La traviata’s demanding party scenes, and it happens because of the way Garsington nurtures its chorus. All members of the chorus are members of the company’s emerging artists scheme, and they either understudy a main role during the season or are asked to sing a minor one. The power and quality of their voices not only give the chorus its radiance, but exemplify the team effort required to make opera succeed.
If you can find tickets for La traviata or the revival of Der Rosenkavalier – and they are scarce – snap them up, because these are experiences not to be missed. As well as them and the Barry, the company is staging Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse. This is just about the best opera in the land now, so see one if you can.
Tickets: https://garsingtonopera.org/