... here we have a pair of verismo operas... The translations used are by Edmund Tracey and... convey the flavour of the dramas vividly... these operas work in English.

Dennis O'Neill is the Canio and Turiddu and he's equally exciting as both... The menace in Canio's First Act mini-lecture to the locals about the difference between life on stage and real life is palpable and his rising lack of control on the play scene is suitably terrifying...

This is strong stuff, served hot.'