19/06/2006

Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, by Bartok

At a loose end in London on Saturday afternoon, I reconsidered three gigs I’d previously rejected:

* Derek Bailey tribute at the Barbican? Naah, bound to be broadcast on Radio 3, and the Barbican’s sooooh out of the way.

* Nixon in China? Five stars in the morning paper. But do I really want to see an opera about a recent American President? In English? In the ghastly Coliseum? Naah.

* So, almost by default, it was Duke Bluebeard’s Castle at the Royal Opera House. Previously rejected because of its composer – Bartok – and language – Hungarian – it proved a surprisingly good call: a fine libretto; some very powerful music; faultlessly evocative singing, by Albert Dohmen and Christine Rice. Very enjoyable; a minor triumph, in fact.

And it only cost £2.50. And it was so short that I managed to catch the Italia v USA World Cup game on the big screen, along with thousands of other Italia fans, outside Bar Italia in Frith Street. Perfect day.

Gerry Smith

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