Treemonisha, 2019
Spectra Ensemble, The Arcola Theatre, London
Conductor: Matthew Lynch | Designer: Raphaé Memon | Choreographer: Ester Rudhart | Lighting Designer: Ali Hunter
Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in a New Opera Production by the Broadway World UK Awards
★★★★
“An absolute winner… Cecilia Stinton’s staging both individualises the characters and allows the plot’s moral framework to register clearly…
Verdict: Cecilia Stinton’s staging demonstrates the merits of Scott Joplin’s rediscovered opera”
George Hall, The Stage
★★★★
“no weakness in the score at all - and none in the cast…never in my lifetime have we needed to listen to Joplin’s message more urgently”
Gary Naylor, Broadway World
★★★★
“as accomplished an account of Treemonisha as you could ever hope to see… Stinton wisely lets Joplin’s vision be, rather than writing the subtext large: the very fact he didn’t feel he could say more about slavery and its legacy in this opera speaks volumes, and troubles you for days afterwards”
Charlotte Valori, theatreCat
★★★★
“the entire company performs with commitment and verve”
Joy Sable, The Jewish Chronicle
“Tin Pan Alley meets Wagner in rare Scott Joplin outing... their voices blended seamlessly and they danced with utter commitment”
Flora Wilson, The Guardian