David Alden’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor, conducted by Stuart Stratford opened to a warm reception from audience and critics alike on 25 October:
Stuart Stratford is the ideal conductor for this concept. His intense engagement and energy fertilise the rich colours of the score, belying the cliché that Donizetti’s orchestration is thin and jejune. Stratford’s approach pushes the cast quite hard, and like thoroughbred horses, they rise to the challenge.
Rupert Christiansen, The Telegraph
Stuart Stratford conducted a whirlwind account of the score and the ENO Orchestra responded to him with their customary verve. Has Donizetti’s glass harmonica ever sounded weirder than it did here, as played by Philip Alexander Marguerre during Lucia’s mad scene? It represented the splinters of a fragmenting mind more alarmingly than I can ever recall.
Mark Valencia, Bachtrack
Conductor Stuart Stratford led a superb performance by the ENO Orchestra: stark swipes of instrumental colour never over-powered the singers, the pace was dramatic but not precipitous, the tension sustained.
Claire Seymour, Opera Today
Stuart Stratford conducts with great passion and care, slowly ratcheting up the tension as the evening progresses
Tim Ashley, The Guardian
As Music Director of Scottish Opera, this season Stuart conducts the world premiere of Stuart MacRae’s Anthropocene and a new production of Kátya Kabanová, as well as concert performances of Mascagni’s Silvano.
Lucia di Lammermoor runs until 5 December 2018, with tickets available from the ENO website.
