Review: Donizetti: L’assedio di Calais

Where and when it took place is really immaterial, and the director, James Conway, admits to making some changes, including the exclusion of the untrue happy ending, and now sets the work at the time of Stalingrad in the Second World War.

The original story of the six major people of the city who offered themselves for execution in exchange for bringing the siege to an end, is deeply moving personal and very loving relationships have already been sharply characterised between those who eventually chose death.

The score calls for a technical tour de force from the mezzo-soprano who takes the male role of Aurelio, here thrillingly sung by Helen Sherman as she goes through the whole gamut of vocal agility, the big second act aria superb in any opera house.

No less outstanding was the silvery soprano of Paula Sides as his wife, Eleonora, while Eddie Wade was the smooth baritone as Eustachio, the Mayor of the town who has to make the decision to comply with the enemy terms.

The lesser roles are all excellently portrayed, crowning glory coming with the passion the conductor, Jeremy Silver, generated in both the chorus and the orchestra.

Opera House, Buxton