Last Look: Les Troyens


Tonight is the last chance to see Berlioz's Les Troyens at The Royal Opera. It is an event: an epic opera with some grand spectacle to match. However at nearly six hours (including two half hour intervals) you do need arrive prepared, which includes familiarising oneself with Berlioz's music. The piece is full of rousing choruses and delicate moments, but as a drama that hangs together like other Romantic operas it is not easy to take in at first listen.

David McVicar's production makes things a little easier to appreciate with the spectacle and astonishing set designs by Es Devlin. Brush up on your Berlioz late Romantic period, refresh your knowledge of Virgil's Aeneid and go along for the ride... It may not come around too soon again...

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