Sadko

I happen to like Sadko as an opera very much. It may not have the continuous feel of memorable moments like other operas do, however the music is still just beautiful, especially Song of India and the Sea Princess' farewell. The story I find magical also. This is a superb production in almost all respects, my only disappointments being a little too much noisy stage noise and the wobbly and sometimes off-pitch singing of Gegam Grigoriam. However, visually it looks absolutely magnificent, the vivid colours and the opulent costumes and sets make the production gorgeous to watch. The video directing is equally adept, the choreography especially with the underwater people further gives that magical feel and the staging is compelling with the buffoonery in the Act 1 banquet scene very amusing.

Musically, the production is just enthralling. The orchestral playing is powerful and sensitive, plus they actually sound very Russian. The chorus are suitably robust. This wouldn't have been possible without Valery Gergiev's very musical, rhythmically charged and involved leadership. The performances excepting Grigoriam are wonderful. Vladimir Galusin is a tireless and not too heroic Sadko, and his singing is easy on the ear. Valentina Tsidipova is an alluring and very affecting Sea Princess. Marianna Tarassova provides the best and most beautiful singing of the production as Sadko's wife. On the whole, visually gorgeous and a musical feast, in short this Sadko's outstanding.

9/10 Bethany Cox