Truly remarkable efforts in successful opera

SUCCESSFULLY overcoming tedious immigration delays and a severe cold two weeks before first night, American tenor Daniel Brenna sang his much anticipated debut role Siegfried last Saturday.

For Ringheads, as Wagner fanatics have come to be known, Brenna is the long awaited youthful-looking, athletic, stroppy, rebellious tormented angry young man who fails to learn the meaning of fear.

Brenna behaves as that youthful-looking angry young man - rebellious, stroppy and, at times, tormented when teased by Alberich. His acting skills will be honed and his vocal coach, John Treleaven, should take care to avoid committing Brenna to too many gruelling Wagner roles too early. Staying power is evident and an ability to convey a feeling of lightness, too. Given voice nurturing he could fill the larger opera houses in years to come.

Longborough has successfully reassembled last year’s Walküre team. With conductor Anthony Negus fresh from his Glyndebourne Meistersinger experience, the 60+ orchestra delivers an alert and sensitive performance with Ian Foster’s tuba playing especially noteworthy. Designer Kjell Torriset continues with the most effective scaffolding and rope sets depicting caves and the depths of the forests.

On stage Colin Judson as Mime steals the attention in Acts 1 and 2, singing cleanly and accurately – he is outstanding. Nicholas Folwell repeats his recent Opera North role as Alberich and there is a welcome return of Alwyn Mellor as Brünnhilde. Evelyn Krahe, spotted last year as one of the terrific Valkyries, brings her gorgeous voice to the role of Erda, Brünnhilde’s mother.

This production is another truly remarkable effort by the Longborough team and a very positive step on the way to the full cycle.

Clive Peacock