Page 439 - Aldeburgh Festival 2022 FINAL COVERAGE BOOK

What does give the opera credibility, though, is Coult’s score. Soaring soprano lines for
Violet, negotiated with fabulous poise by Anna Dennis, often over fragile, melting
textures from the 14 players of the London Sinfonietta conducted by Andrew Gourlay,
are contrasted with often blunt declamation for her husband, while the bells marking
off time and the ticking of clocks are constant features of the wonderfully varied sounds
he extracts from the ensemble, reinforced by electronics. There is real assurance about
every gesture and texture, it’s tremendously accomplished; Coult at least clearly
believes in the authenticity of what his opera is all about.

At Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, on 8 June, and touring to 18 July. Aldeburgh festival runs
until 26 June.