The Rape of Lucretia, Glyndebourne ****

Before any comments about the performance itself, you have to acknowledge the whole experience of going to Glyndebourne. It was my first visit, with a ticket to the dress rehearsal, and the whole experience was heavenly. It is a mile away from any town, so has a tranquil nature to it, and is essentially a country house with a massive opera house built next to it. As you walk out for the interval and after curtain down, you don't walk out on to a murky, busy London street but onto one of the most beautiful gardens in Britain. The interval is normally 1 hour and 30 minutes for you to have your picnic before you wander through the rose garden and back to your seat. For someone who is used to the London theatre, to meet people who smile at you and experience a place as divine as this is very special. Fiona Shaw's production is worthy of such a magnificent space. Britten's opera is dramatised creatively providing true artistry that is comparable to the vision of Van Hove or Cheek by Jowl. The high rake of the stage gives this image of a world and emotions that are on edge; where Tarquinius can even entertain the possibility of committing this unspeakable act out of jealousy. The abstract set design by Michael Levine sets the piece in a bleak harsh world and allows the brutality of the plot and of Britten's music to have full impact. The lighting also is designed well by Paul Anderson, with the harsh white light that is pointed on the chorus and soldiers at the start being juxtaposed by the comforting yellow that greets Lucretia before becoming harsh again once the atrocity has been committed and Lucretia's world is turned upside down. The use of a chorus in the piece is clever in giving a voice to the audience; who comment throughout yet are unable to change the course of the opera. Britten's music is lyrical at times, like when Bianca and Lucia comment on the day, and brutish at others. The light and shade of the plot is coloured well and is a pleasure to listen to. This is also down to the masterful performances on show. Alan Clayton is powerful as the Male Chorus who also channeling the dark thoughts of Duncan Rock's similarly powerful Tarquinius. Christine Rice is a delicate and beautiful Lucretia whose pain is felt across the auditorium. The rest of the small cast are similarly wonderful and makes my first Glyndebourne experience even better.