The Secret Marriage has been a hit from its earliest days. At its 1792 première in Vienna, King Leopold II was so delighted by the performance that he ordered the whole company to repair to his mansion, be treated to a magnificent dinner, “and then play the entire opera through again, immediately”. Later, Verdi called The Secret Marriage “a perfect comedy, which contains everything that an opera buffa should”.
Although more complicated and profound operas are of course available to the modern opera-goer, Domenico Cimarosa‘s The Secret Marriage sparkles anew with effervescent charm and vitality in this superb production from British Youth Opera. I settled down in a mood more idle curiosity than excitement: I was absolutely blown away. Click here to read my full review on Bachtrack
