Opera: I Puritani (The Puritans)

Tonight, back for the first time in three months with London Classical Music and Theatre Group, for a performance of Bellini's final opera, I Puritani (set during the Puritan era), at the Royal Opera House - with the cheapest tickets gone by the time I booked, I still managed to get a ticket for under £50, and with an ok view. Eating beforehand at Cote Covent Garden.

The bus was nicely airconditioned - but wow, the traffic as we approached Aldwych was horrendous. Happily, the driver let us off on the street, so I not only skipped the wait, but was closer to where I was going than I'd otherwise have been. Made the restaurant about on time, and was seated pretty quickly. They do tend to be quick here - it was no time at all until I had my calamari, and yes, Cote do still serve the best calamari around. The steak was good too, if a little tough - and the fries were gorgeous. I didn't have time for dessert, so just plumped for a moreish glass of dessert wine.

The group decided to meet beforehand, not in the lobby as usual, but in the Paul Hamlyn Hall upstairs. I wasn't sure where I was going, but as I headed for the stairs, ran into another of the group who hadn't even got the message. Meetup tends to be erratic in passing on messages, for sure. So I passed on the message, and he confirmed that I was headed in the right direction! It turned out to be that huge, high-ceilinged room with a champagne bar in the middle and massive windows on either side. They'd said they were by the mirrors at the back, and so it proved - we chatted until it was time to take our seats.

From there, it's easier to take the escalator and stairs than the lift.. and the stairs are broken into several small flights, so it's not too much hardship. My seat didn't have a bad view at all - and it's oh so nice not to be at the side, and craning my neck, as I so often am!

The opera is aptly named - it's set around the time that Charles I Stuart was executed, and the Puritans took charge in England. Elvira, the daughter of a Puritan officer, is supposed to marry another Puritan officer, Riccardo - but falls in love with Arturo, a Royalist. Well, her beau is persuaded to step aside, and her and Arturo's wedding is all set to go ahead - but when he realises that Henrietta Maria, the widow of Charles I, has been imprisoned, he suddenly has the idea to dress her as his bride, face obscured by a veil, and smuggle her out..!

Nobody bothers to tell poor Elvira, who loses her wits when she discovers he's legged it. And when Arturo returns, he's imprisoned as a traitor for helping Henrietta Maria to escape. How shall true love find a way? and how long can Riccardo bear to help this romance along before his jealousy gets the better of him..?

Beautiful music - particularly in the drama-laden second half. Some stunning performances too, Elvira in particular (Lisette Oropesa) displaying a compelling mix of passion and vulnerability. The staging is cleverly done, including a huge spotlight being wheeled around the stage when Arturo is trying to evade arrest, which does help the sense of tension. One scene in particular will stay with me, when he's performing a solo with snow falling about him - the back of the stage in darkness, the snowflakes are lit.. surreal and beautiful.

It's a lovely production. Runs to Sunday. Excellent, if you like opera. (On a side note, at the interval, we were talking about Pavarotti having performed it - and someone came up with a photo of him as a young man! Crikey, unrecognisable..)

Tomorrow, yes, back with CT for Hot Mess, a kind of cosmic musical at The Other Palace. Eating at the Bag o' Nails beforehand. Then, for the first time in a couple of months, I'm heading back to Ireland for the weekend - to discuss selling the place. Was waiting to hear about my car before I booked - it's in for repairs - so I booked my flights rather late. Ryanair, for some reason, would take none of my cards.. I'm guessing it's a website issue. However, that turned out lucky, because when I checked, as long as I check in a bag (which is the default), Aer Lingus is cheaper! (Think I'll bring a bigger bag, as a result - there are a lot of clothes I want to bring back.) Don't fancy the dangerously overcrowded Elizabeth Line though.. hopefully, I'll have time to get the Tube. No word yet on whether the friend I have lunch with when I'm over will be around..

On Monday, I'm back with CT for I'm Not Myself Today - A Villainous Cabaret. Showing at the Bread & Roses, it sounds interesting, with a soundtrack composed entirely of songs about, or by, villains.

On Tuesday, headed to the Proms - specifically, Also Sprach Zarathustra - at the Royal Albert Hall, and my sometime companion is coming too - it was actually her suggestion. Well, that's assuming she's recovered from her recent accident. I'm eating at the Elgar Room beforehand - it's an early show, and an early dinner, so I'm taking a half-day from work - I certainly have them to spare. She doesn't fancy that - but I want more than they have in the cafe.

And the next two days seem likely to be films. Next Wednesday, I'm delighted to be seeing Coup '53 finally - it's a documentary about the joint CIA/MI6 operation in 1953 to overthrow the Iranian Prime Minister, who had just nationalised the Iranian oil industry, which had previously operated under the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP). The operation was Churchill's idea (always far too interested in meddling in other countries, that man). Showings are limited, so I missed it before.. it's now showing in the Arthouse Crouch End, and was mostly sold out when I looked, so I booked.

And on the 23rd, I'm thinking of The Last Viking, which I'd intended to see on Sunday, but didn't - it's a crime comedy with Mads Mikkelson, who plays a man under the delusion that he's John Lennon. Evening showing is in the Ritzy.