Die Großherzogin von Gerolstein | Staatstheater Kassel

What a rare and wonderful thing it is for a mezzo to have the title role.

This was what I was thinking when I turned up to the first day of rehearsals for Offenbach's Die Großherzogin von Gerolstein - an operatic romp following the perils of being the soldier upon whom the Grand Duchess lavishes her amorous and lethal attentions.

My joy was compounded by the quick realisation that I was to be working with a director of such intelligence and wit, that I would learn more stagecraft on this job than I had in the 5 years of my professional career. Adriana Altaras is a pocket rocket of ideas and enthusiasm, wrapped in enough sardonicism to cure me of any homesickness, and with a laugh as wicked as her sense of humour. This was going to be fun.