Phyllida Lloyd Macbeth at the Royal Opera House review: outstanding performances in an imaginative production
“…This time round, the role of Lady Macbeth was taken by the Italian soprano Anna Pirozzi, who has sung it at various European houses as well as the Met, while the baton was wielded by her prodigiously talented compatriot, Daniele Rustioni.
…Rustioni is an alumnus of the Jette Parker programme who has returned regularly to the Royal Opera to assist Pappano. An indifferent handling of the jaunty accompaniments in this early Verdi score can make its seriousness of intent seem risible. A high-calibre reading such as Rustioni’s, generating tension with taut rhythms and unfolding majestic paragraphs in the gloriously sung choral numbers, can persuade one quite otherwise.
Rustioni has been touted as a possible successor to Pappano, when he leaves the house in 2024. On the basis of this performance, the music directorship would be in excellent hands.”
Evening Standard, Barry Millington