Tocsa – Ellen Kent Opera International

Ellen Kent delivers a very powerful cocktail of Gothique horror, deception and violent death. Add to that mix impressive sets, Puccini’ s dramatic music and a fine orchestra (particularly the woodwind) and you have the perfect setting for ‘Tosca’. In turn volatile, coquettish, passionate and credulous, Alyona Kistenyova portrays the diva with great style, delicate comic timing and a beautiful voice. Her beau, Cavaradossi (heroic tenor Ruslan Zinevych), is not as naïve. He is systematically destroyed by the intrigue engineered with brutal delight by a full-voiced, wonderfully malicious Scarpia (veteran baritone Vladimir Dragos). This is touring opera at its grandest!

Theatre Royal, 21 February 2016

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