The Makropulos Case

The Makropulos Case is not one of Janacek's best operas, Jenufa and The Cunning Little Vixen I have always much preferred, but any Janacek is always worth hearing once and The Makropulos Case is no exception. This production is simply wonderful, Nikolaus Lehnhoff's staging is moving in its impact and also imaginative while remaining faithful to the story and Janacek. Act 2 is the most successful in this respect. The costume and set designs are simple but elegant looking, apart from Silja's bizarre outfit in Act 3, and while it jumps around a little too much in the first act the video directing is unobtrusive. The orchestra play beautifully and the conducting from Andrew Davis is exemplary, on the same level as Charles Mackerras I'd say. I can't fault the performances are exceptional, Victor Braun characterises splendidly and Kim Begley sing with a strong unstrained tone. It is lovely also to see Christopher Ventris and Robert Tear and they acquit themselves well. Best of all is Anja Silja, while a little more effort could have been made to make her look younger she otherwise embodies her role in a powerful and poignant manner, and even with the beat in some of her top notes her singing is in good shape. All in all, loved this production a lot and thought that Silja was incredible. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox