Georges Bizet’s tale of a friendship which is tested by love returns to the Coliseum, starring Claudia Boyle, Robert McPherson and Jacques Imbrailo. But what have critics made of this revival?
The Guardian: ** “I missed the delicate colours of Bizet’s orchestration and his sheer melodic suavity – even the celebrated friendship duet was wooden.”
The Stage: *** “The set is the star of ENO’s promising, if not persuasive, revival.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “Notwithstanding its unevenness, there are moments here that make one hope the polymathic Woolcock persists with opera and tackles more substantial works in future.”
The Telegraph: **** “Claudia Boyle deftly deployed her slightly acidic soprano on Leila’s pretty arias and James Creswell did sterling work in the ungrateful role of the High Priest Nourabad.”
Bachtrack: *** “If the torch can be ignited sooner, later performances of this revival should be worth catching. ”
GScene.com: “Over simplified for the purist perhaps, this would also be an easy and assessable opera for the first time visitor, as the clear narrative force supported by the perfectly executed flight of on stage fantasy makes this a very easy to understand production.”
Broadway World:** “Diving for pearls is a risky business, and one by no means certain of reward. ENO can and should do better.”
The Upcoming: **** “Woolcock’s The Pearl Fishers is a prime example of how opera can remain relevant and accessible to a modern-day audience.”
The Times: ** “The characters are rendered charmless by the translation.”
The Pearl Fishers continues to play at the London Coliseum until the 2nd December. To book tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.