The Russian soprano’s reapparance last night – in a cautious new production of Tosca – was greeted by a few dozen pro-Ukraine demonstrators outside the house. This being England, they conducted polite conversations with those going in, who included a phalanx of London’s Russian oligarchy. No voices were raised, nor were there any protests inside the house.
One of our correspondents thought that Netrebko was vocally unstable at times. She received cheers after Vissi d’arte but no demonstrative support or boos. One voice shouted an indistinct word in Russian. The biggest ovation was for the conductor, Jakub Hrusa.
The production by Oliver Mears was restrained. Scarpia’s thugs looked as if they were fresh off the Ukraine front.
The Times critic gave it five stars.
More later.
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