Two operas in two nights from Dnipro - Reviewed by Pete Millington

Two beautiful operas were performed at The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry in February by the Dnipro opera company from Ukraine. Puccini's passionate love story, La Boheme on 14th February and the fiery Carmen by Bizet on the 15th. The company are actually touring with three different operas from the 31st January to the 28th March 2024, their touring itinerary also includes Madame Butterfly, though audiences at The Belgrade were given the choice of two. I chose both and did not regret it.

Dnipro Opera are from Ukraine's fourth-largest city which lies to the southeast of the country's capital Kyiv. Dnipro Opera are also known as the Ukrainian National Opera and their high status reflects the company's accomplished cast and orchestra, as well as their international reputation for touring iconic opera titles. 

Both performances featured an impressive and talented cast, who demonstrate striking versatility in moving from one opera to another whilst keeping true to the original languages of the composers, Puccini's La Boheme set in Paris and performed in Italian, Bizet's Carmen set in southern Spain and performed in French and Puccinni's Madame Butterfly set in Japan with an Italian libretto. A Ukrainian cast convincingly adjusting to different languages and cultural references on consecutive evenings for a British audience, might be something the professionals just take in their stride, but I was impressed!

The addition of transcribed English subtitles in a discreet box above the stage was also a welcome feature which I have not seen in live opera before. I would guess that some opera purists might deride this facility and I felt that there was an initial temptation to watch the subtitles rather than giving my full visual attention to the action on the stage, but after a short time one's brain adjusts (a similar experience to driving a car) and being able to follow conversations and the narrative as a whole is enhanced. A characteristic of opera, of course, is that both soloists and choruses often sing different lines over one another or against one another, sometimes even three or four soloists interweaving the libretto and obviously subtitles may not fully capture that level of subtlety and complexity, though actually it's at these times of power and intensity that one tends to revert back to the wonderful medium of the visual drama.  

The sets were splendidly evocative, the costumes colourful and captivating. The live orchestra musically accomplished, one notices the power of the orchestra especially during Carmen with it's rousing overture and lively choruses. 

Both operas at The Belgrade last week are popular and iconic, each with instantly recognisable arias, especially Carmen which is described as one of the most frequently performed operas in the classical canon. Carmen tells the story of a love-struck soldier who falls for Carmen, a seductive gypsy woman who works in a cigarette factory. The soldier, Don Jose, appears increasingly weak-willed and fickle in going against what should have been his better judgments, pursuing his possessive desire for Carmen above responsibility for his sick mother, loyalty to his childhood sweetheart and ultimately rejecting his army career.   

Don Jose follows Carmen into the mountains with her rebellious gang but their relationship breaks up when she becomes smitten with another suitor, the strutting toreador Escamillo. The opera ends in tragedy as Don Jose stabs his beloved Carmen in a fit of jealousy. 

La Boheme is also a love story with an unhappy ending, this one set in the artisan quarter of 19th century Paris, where the penniless poet Rodolfo falls in love with the emotionally fragile seamstress, Mimi. Their love is short lived when Mimi reveals her illness to Rodolfo and despite the warmth of his love and the collective care of their friends, the beautiful Mimi unhappily departs the world.

This opera is also full of recognisable arias and choruses and the cast and producers perfectly capture the Bohemian scene of mid-19th century Paris. The end of both operas saw the audience rising to their feet to applaud the Ukrainian national anthem as the cast hold aloft the flag of this proud and independent European nation.  

Dnipro continue their UK tour until 28th March 2024. We highly recommend catching one or more of their performances at a venue near you.

Forthcoming performances in the UK