Springtime for Muammar

This may not matter as much as it should. Although the opera was, for the most part, critically panned on opening night, by its third performance it had sold out. When artistic director John Berry was asked minutes before the opening curtain what he hoped to achieve, he told NEWSWEEK, "I hope this draws a new and diverse audience." Given the sheer number of hipsters trampling in off the street, the English National Opera may well consider this one a success.

© 2006