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Classical

Why does opera always feel the need apologise for its plots?

1 October 2022

9:00 AM

1 October 2022

9:00 AM

The Makropulos Affair

Wales Millennium Centre, touring until 2 December

Philharmonia Orchestra/ Olafsson/Rouvali

Royal Festival Hall

Leos Janacek disliked long operas, and the first act of The Makropulos Affair is a masterclass in how to set up a drama without an ounce of fat. There’s a prelude: driving motor-rhythms, surges of emotion, and somewhere in the distance – far away (or long ago) – the sound of trumpets.

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