Although I know the story very, very well, I knew little about the opera by Ambroise Thomas until recently. After hearing it, the music really is wonderful from start to finish. And this is a wonderful production. The production has lovely costumes and atmospheric settings, complete with a fine orchestra, a well-balanced and pitched chorus and enthusiastic conducting. The performances are terrific, Natalie Dessay is a poignant Orphelie and her Mad scene is a triumph. Thomas Hampson excels also as Hamlet particularly in the sensual duet with Dessay(and there is real chemistry between them) and in Etre Ou Ne Pas Etre, and Jose Van Dam is superb as Claudius. Overall, truly wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Review of Hamlet
