Rare production of Tisbe is a jewel in La Seranissima's crown

The story, derived from a classical tale of love and loss with a comic subplot, gave La Seranissima lots of scope. This was a concert performance, but the acting, both tragic and comic,excelled that in some staged operas.

All the soloists were good, especially Hilary Summers as Licori who displayed her considerable skills as a comic actress, as well as her impressive contralto

voice.

The chorus was great, in singing and acting. They turned seamlessly from a conventional chorus to one raging lion with many legs who wrestled with our

hero and finally died: great choreography.

Tisbe was written well before any of the other operas in this year’s Buxton International Festival, so there are no complex ensemble pieces. It is a fine example of opera from the early 18thncentury, the music is lovely with many tuneful arias.

La Seranissima kept a wise balance between the beautiful music, which follows the main, tragic plot, and seizing every opportunity to make us laugh. T

This was a great opportunity to hear an excellent performance of a rarely heard opera.

Tisbe will be performed again at Buxton Opera House on Tuesday, July 17.