Michael White, Catholic Herald
"Turning song cycles into staged theatre is fairly common these days, but I've never seen a more physically engaged or emotionally lacerating version than the Schumann double bill of Dichterliebe and Frauenliebe und Leben that's been playing in London under the title Unknowing. The two sets of songs are interwoven - the male ones sung by David Jones, the female by Christine Cunnold - and made to tell a story of mutually destructive love so desperate, so harrowing (and so psychotic), that you can be grateful it lasts barely 50 minutes. Any longer and you'd be in breakdown - but the singers here should take that as a compliment. They hook you into their distress all too effectively. It's not a pleasure, but it's powerful."
Amy Stow, LondonTheatre1.com
Certainly, the music is affecting and dramatic (excellently put together by Richard Harker), and if you enjoy opera, Unknowing is definitely worth a watch. At an hour in length, and with a simple, flexible set, this production will no doubt be a popular choice on the festival circuit, and as a young company, Teatime Opera no doubt have a bright future ahead.
Audience Revews:
"The deceptively simple staging doesn't prepare you for the range of emotions portrayed in this performance. I din't know what to expect and certainly wasn't disappointed . A truly enjoyable evening - the music alone would have made it worthwhile but supporting an accomplished and thought provoking performance by talented singers was a joy."
- Cambridge
"The simplicity of the set belied the musical accomplishment of the talented performers on stage" - - Hampstead
"A new enrapturing twist on such beautiful music! Bringing it to life before your eyes, you see the counterpoints of love from the first dreamy happiness, through the fear and desperation right through to resignation. An emotionally charged performance to enthrall! "
- Hampstead
"Beautifully performed. And the story was very thought-provoking and disturbing. I really enjoyed the modern & minimalist style."
- Wanstead