Opera correspondent Stuart Macbeth is enchanted by Garsington Opera's first rate production of Janáček's masterpiece

It’s always a pleasure to arrive at Garsington Opera – currently celebrating its 25th anniversary at its new home - the Getty family’s Wormsley Estate. After being cooped up for a year watching opera at the New Theatre this is like being let off a leash.

Those fortunate enough to get a ticket can enjoy a luxurious picnic of champagne and strawberries on the cricket ground - or take pre-show drinks among the opera garden’s swathes of blue catmint. After knocking back my week’s rent in champagne I feel it really can’t get any better than this. Then the opera begins - and it does.

This is Garsington’s first ever staging of Janáček’s 1924 masterpiece Cunning Little Vixen. Janáček drew his tale of sex and hunting from a comic strip in his local newspaper – the Czech equivalent of Jim Needle in the Oxford Mail. In Daniel Slater’s new production animals and humans collide around the two central characters, the Gamekeeper sung by Grand Doyle and Claire Booth in the title role of the flame-haired Vixen.

The production is brilliantly lit and paced from the outset. Robert Innes Hopkins’ leafy sets rotate on the stage, casting magic and optical illusion over the proceedings. Among the highlights are a brood of clucking hens, sung by members of the chorus. Badgers, woodpeckers and owls all join the fun with spot-on acting meaning even a simpleton such as I can follow who’s who and what’s what without any cast member suffering the indiginity of having to dress up in a daft costume. This is far too classy for that sort of nonsense.

Oxford Mail:

Maxine Braham’s choreography is first rate with Chiari Vinci and Jamie Higgings dancing beautiful dream sequences to Janáček’s music. In my, usually cynical, opinion these performances in the light and airy opera pavilion at Wormsley put Garsington miles ahead of any other opera you’re likely to see in the Oxford area. Cunning Little Vixen is a delightful production, filled with life and energy.

The current season at Garsington also features performances of Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio and Offenbach’s Vert-Vert - receiving its debut in this country.