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| Wagner: Die Walküre – The London Opera Company, November 2023 |
London Opera Company presented a full-scale performance of Wagner’s Die Walküre at Smith Square Hall (St John’s Smith Square) in November 2023 conducted by Peter Selwyn. [see my review ‘A remarkable sense of energy & engagement‘]
Now the company is returning to Smith Square for Wagner’s Siegfried, again with full orchestra conducted by Peter Selwyn.
Having sung Brünnhilde and Wotan in last year’s Die Walküre, Cara McHardy and Simon Thorpe return as Brünnhilde and Der Wanderer, with Brad Cooper as Siegfried, Colin Judson as Mime, Stephan Loges as Alberich and Harriet Williams, who sang Fricka last year, is Erda.
The London Opera Company was formed in 2020 by singers to give opportunities to performers who had lost work in the pandemic. Starting from relatively small beginnings, with chamber versions of Wagner’s operas, the company founded its own orchestra in 2022 and presented a full version of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.
The orchestra is a mix of professionals, music students and good amateurs. Selwyn is an experienced Wagnerian; he has been assisting on the most recent Ring Cycle at Bayreuth and conducted Grimeborn’s Ring [see my interview with Peter, ‘From Bayreuth to Grimeborn‘] as well as being the chief conductor of the non-professional Lambeth Orchestra.
Full details from the Sinfonia Smith Square website.
