Vanda

Over its 53-year existence, University College Opera has given many first British performances and their latest UK premiere plucks from obscurity a forgotten work by Dvorak, composed when he was in his early thirties.

Vanda sets the story of a heroic Polish princess fighting against marauding Germans and then sacrificing her life because of a vow made to the pagan gods for saving her country.

Dvorak responds with a full-scale five-act grand opera written partly in nationalist style and partly under the influence of Wagner. But his grasp of theatrical pacing was not yet sure and the textures thick and heavy for too much of its lengthy span. Still, there is some fine music here, even if the reasons for the piece’s neglect are obvious.

UCO usually come up with a strong production that looks more expensive than it is but here Madeleine Boyd’s designs are frowsy and Matthias Janser’s direction tepid and at times obscure.

The work is wisely sung in English, though Susan Reynolds’s translation doesn’t always hit the right style or sit well with the notes.

Conductor Charles Peebles delivers a largely secure orchestral performance and the chorus is very much present and correct. Elaine McKrill shows her mettle in the arduous title role and Bradley Daley is resilient as her lover, Slavoj.

Paul Keohone delivers a trenchant account of the invading German Prince Roderich and James Gower’s High Priest shows off a fine bass voice and an impressive presence.