Opera Scotland

Julietta 1990Slovak National Opera, Bratislava

Read more about the opera Julietta

Julietta had only previously been staged in Britain by London organisations - the New Opera Company in association with ENO and also one of the music colleges. Both stagings were directed by Anthony Besch, who presented the work with near ideal clarity. The Slovak staging failed to catch the imagination in the same way, largely because it is a difficult work to follow dramatically when sung in the original language, rather than English translation. If the visit had been a couple of years later, and therefore able to take advantage of the introduction of surtitles, many of the problems encountered would have been removed.

The leading role of Michel was beautifully done by both lyric tenors, and the other roles in a large cast showed the benefit of having a substantial permanent company.

Perhaps this is a work which should be looked at by the students of the Conservatoire in Glasgow when they plan the next batch of collaborations with Scottish Opera.