Richard Bratby

Why does opera always feel the need to apologise for its plots?

Welsh National Opera's Makropulos Case is mostly superb – but the director suffers from a failure of nerve

Alan Oke was both funny and intensely touching as the decrepit Count Hauk-Sendorf, while Angeles Blancas Gulin was simultaneously sensual and aloof as Emilia Marty. Image: Richard Hubert Smith
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  • The Makropulos Affair

    Wales Millennium Centre, touring until 2 December

  • Philharmonia Orchestra/ Olafsson/Rouvali

    Royal Festival Hall

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