Krishna review - the mystery of John Tavener’s ‘mystic pantomime’ is why it has been staged
The Guardian reviews the posthumous world premiere of John Tavener’s opera 'Krishna' at Grange Park Opera. The critic praises the musical performances but critiques the work's dated 'mystical pantomime' style and Orientalist themes.
Why it matters
This review highlights the ongoing debate regarding the staging of older works that may contain culturally insensitive tropes.
Agile voices … Nazan Fikret and Brett Polegato in Krishna at Grange Park Opera. Photograph: Marc Brenner View image in fullscreen Agile voices … Nazan Fikret and Brett Polegato in Krishna at Grange Park Opera. Photograph: Marc Brenner Classical music Review Krishna review – the mystery of John Tavener’s ‘mystic pantomime’ is why it has been staged Grange Park Opera, West Horsley, Surrey Singers and orchestra toiled admirably with this posthumous world premiere about the Hindu god, complete with inflatable deadly serpent. But the work feels straight from the 19th-century Orientalism playbook
The article is a subjective cultural critique, which is standard for arts journalism and does not reflect political bias.
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