Otello - ROH

I was there on Wednesday night and pretty much agree with everything you say Mr snow. I was sat row H of the amphitheatre, and JK definitely sounded underpowered in places especially in Act One and Two, although I did think he seemed to gather confidence as the night progressed and i felt slightly more engaged in the third and last acts. Nerves definitely got the better of him early on and I don't yet think he has got under the skin of the role or worked out where he needs to hold back slightly and where he can really let go. I'd love to see him do the role again after he has a couple more productions under his belt as he really has the potential to be one of the greats in this role.

I thought the production was fine but uninspired and I hated that bloody lion that they trundled across the stage, just didn't seem in keeping with the expressionists staging of the rest of it. Also couldn't quite see what was going on in that mirror from my seat, I assume some sort of tortured, broken otello?

Was also disappointed wth the Iago who lacked the darkness of tone and the menace that the better singers have in that role, probably not helped by the fact that JK has such a dark tenor voice as well.

A 3.5 star performance for me overall and not with some of the raves from the people sat around me or the press. The couple sat next to me had come across from NYC to see it and thought it was the best thing they'd ever seen!

If Jonas Kaufmann smothered me with a pillow I would be 100% ok with it.

Slightly off topic but can anyone on here use a free ticket to Mitridate tomorrow night at ROH as I can no longer make it? Don't want anything for it but someone may as well use it. Can email the ticket across.

I was sitting in the centre block, but on the right hand end of the row, so can't have been that far away, I could just about make out the side of the mirror but enough to see clearly what was going on.

Saw this on Thursday and it was excellent.The set was a bit rubbish but Kaufman was absolutely sensational and Pappano was on top form too. Overall it was a brilliant evening and my Rush ticket in Stalls Circle was brilliant, really close to the stage.

Thank you ROH for the wonderful Friday Rush tickets!

Just back from today's matinee and my second chance at seeing Kaufmann's Otello. I thought he was on fabulous form today, giving an even deeper and more nuanced performance. I also thought Marco Vratogna was much better as Iago this time, darker and more menacing.

As a musical performance this personally for me had an impossible standard to live up to; in 1980 at ROH I saw Domingo in the title role in his absolute prime conducted by Carlos Kleiber. This ranks as by far the greatest musical experience of my life (some claim huh - but true) and it was all down to Kleiber. He had a Svengali like hold over all the performers, soloists, chorus and orchestra so that they performed at a level of excellence and commitment that was incandescent. Nothing I've heard since has ever come close.

This was not in that league but still fantastic and one of the best Otello's at the garden in years.

I saw the matinee of this yesterday (2nd July), and I absolutely loved it. It felt like a real event, and was one of my best operatic experiences so far. The afternoon flew by in a haze, and I certainly wish I could witness it again live. It is why I love opera!

There were so many noteworthy moments. The opening had me pinned to the back of my seat, and hairs standing up all over. I have never quite heard a sound like it. The orchestra and chorus were absolutely stunning. The end of the opera I also found particularly spine-tingling and affecting.

Kaufmann sang a very strong and solid OTELLO. I did not think he would be able to pull this off when it was first announced, nor due to his recent vocal issues. However, I am very happy to be proved wrong. Yes, there were a few moments where he was underpowered and careful, but overall for me, iwas absolutely thrilling. I certainly took much inspiration from his performance. The rest of the cast were also good.

Some of the reviews clearly didn't like the production, but I felt it was very strong. It made the story and music speak for itself, but added just enough to keep it interesting and get the audience thinking. I liked its interplay of light, dark and shadows particularly. This came across so well through the beautiful and atmospheric lighting.

I may see if there is a cinema encore somewhere close by, so that I can see it again.