Page 558 - Aldeburgh Festival 2022 FINAL COVERAGE BOOK

Richard Burkhard and Andrew MacKenzie Wicks Violet premiere at Aldeburgh
Festival 2022 – credit: Marc Brenner

Tom Coult’s score is alive in uneasy tensions and discordant suspense along with
some sublime vocal writing. The London Sinfonietta shine with quirky, apt choices
of a contrabass clarinet, metronomes and tubular bells, the ticking and murmuring

never too far away. The music is fairly dense at times, but still attracts a lot of
attention thanks to the dynamics of the story. Anna Dennis owns the piece as her
own, her sumptuous voice in every bar. Her drone as the other singers chatter on
was one of many highlights: everyone wants to hear more of Dennis.

As Felix, Richard Burkhard intimidates with a futile power struggle over the strange
goings-on. Laura, here from Frances Gregory, the anxious maid who might just end

up safe thanks to Violet. Andrew MacKenzie Wicks, as the Clockkeeper, may know
more than he lets on, yet a funny dinner scene shows off his awkward side and
genuine bewilderment at the events. The set of Rosie Elnile includes a long table, a
looming upside-down tree and a wooden sign telling the time, in the vein of a

guillotine.