neilshestopal 10 Aug 2009 at 3:57pm (Report this message)

Glyndebourne did once again come up trumps. After a bit of a sluggish start everything fell into place when Dr. Dulcamara played by Lucciano di Pascuale came onto the stage with his grotesque sidekick. He seemed to inspire all the other singers and actors and from then on the production took off. After the interval the principals - Nemorino sung by Peter Auty and Adina sung by Ekaterina Siurina demonstrated how to keep an audience on their toes laughing all the way and appreciating Donizetti's wonderful music. Peter Auty did not 'milk' 'Una furtiva lagrima" but sang it straight down the line and enhanced the appreciation of this beautiful aria. The London Philharmonic,  very well conducted by Maurizio Benini also made a huge contribution to the lively pace of the evening. Yet again a satisfied audience. And the beautiful weather played its own part.