REVIEW: Cav & Pag (NZ Opera)

September 17, 2011

Double dose delights [by Sharu Delilkan] You can’t go wrong with two for the price of one. But when both the products are not just great value but great quality, you know you’ve struck gold. In this case watching two separate but cleverly intertwined operas, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci more commonly referred to as Cav/Pag, is not just value for […]

REVIEW: Xerxes (Auckland Arts Festival)

March 4, 2011

Xerxes ‘Handel-ed’ at its best [by Sharu Delilkan] King Xerxes could well be likened to an 18th-century Mr Bean, with a cruel streak. Australian-born counter tenor Tobias Cole, who plays the lead has a crystal clear voice that’s juxtaposed against his ‘Mr Bean-like’ dramatic facial expressions. Before I proceed I must admit this is my first experience of Xerxes – […]

REVIEW: Opera Risque (Auckland Fringe)

March 2, 2011

Rocky Horror Opera Show [by Sharu Delilkan] The poster of Opéra Risqué, definitely promised naughtily attired girls singing opera in Moulin Rouge style lingerie.  And the diverse crowd waiting outside at 5.30 pm were obviously anticipating a mischievous evening. The trepidation was heightened by the sight of scantily clad women appearing and disappearing at the box office like fleeting flights […]