Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera at Buxton

A magnificent performance and production of Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera. The director, a name hitherto unknown to me, Harry Fehr, caught exactly the right balance between comedy, which was at times even broad, and a poignant commentary on the difficulty of human relationships. The score – astonishing for an 18 year old – brought out the humour, as well as the passion of the action, and in the hands of expert Mozartian conductor Nicholas Kraemer, musically we had a treat. Invidious to single out individual performers, because they were all good, but Stephanie Corley as the wilful, temperamental Arminda stole the show with her bravura singing and physically agile portrayal. Even though more than three hours in duration, the opera did not last a moment too long.