Review: Handel: Samson ***
Published Date:
18 July 2008
By David Denton
Though described as a dramatic oratorio, Handel had been heavily involved in opera when he composed Samson, a fact long arousing a fascination in staging the score. Now we have Daniel Slater's bold new production, the present Middle East conflict used as its backdrop.
Samson is captured and blinded by terrorists, who keep him hostage until they are emboldened to take him to the celebrations that mark their apparent victory.
With one last use of his legendary strength, he destroys the building
and claims his and the terrorist's lives. It opens the wall that separates nations, and reconciliation is his posthumous reward.
Sitting in his prison room, the tenor, Tom Randle, creates a vocally compelling Samson set against the massive voice of Jonathan Best as Harapha, his forbidding adversary. Yet to understand the story we needed to hear more words from Rebecca de Pont Davies in the role of Micah.
The Buxton Festival Chorus is outstanding, but there were sour moments from the period instruments of the Orchestra of the Sixteen conducted by Harry Christophers.
Chilling and disturbing, it really demands to be seen.
Further performances on July 19, 22 and 27.
Buxton Opera House
The full article contains 198 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
18 July 2008 11:13 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Yorkshire
