Poliuto

It’s always an excitement to see a new production at Glyndebourne and never more so when it is a work that is seldom performed. Donizetti’s opera is a poignant study of religious oppression that today might be more appropriate then ever. The director and designer’s decision to set it in a nameless pagan, neo-fascistic regime works well enough but does not excite the visual senses. The shifting set of grey monoliths works okay but again is far from stunning and some of the projections seemed a little cliched. In part of course the lack of excitement is in the very static nature of the play itself, visually very little happens. So thank heavens that the music is so powerfully composed and delivered by the stunning Glyndebourne Chorus, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, superb soloists and Mariame Clément driving it forward with such confidence from the pit.
In one sense the lack of gimcrackery and fireworks does allow the audience to focus on the music and in particular the fine soloists. Michael Fabiano’s voice soars but never loses that golden tone, such purity and precision. Ana Maria Martinez is equally powerful and pure and brings a dramatic quality to the role that lifts the whole performance. Before long I was entranced by the music, forgot the setting and simply listened to a work given in a performance of great beauty.
Glyndebourne
24 May
Andrew Kay
4.5 stars