Comic Opera Sampler for the less serious
Opera Locos from the Spanish Company Yllana presents their unique show at Sadler’s Wells. Five first class singers of Opera perform snatches and, occasionally the whole aria, from the great operas of Mozart, Verdi, Puccini and set their music in a comic love story. This is a splendid introduction to opera and many of the tunes are recognisable to non-opera goers from televisual advertising: O Sole Mio the Cornetto Ad (not from an opera but often sung by opera singers) and the British Airways Flower duet from Delibes’ Lakme.
The storyline which is probably the weakest aspect of their performance gives an opportunity for clowning and audience involvement in a sing-along. An aging and fading tenor who once enjoyed greatness Alfredo (Jesús Álvarez) has many fans. We know this because when he holds up a signed photograph of himself we can hear the adulation of an audience. His voice, rather than his physique, has won the heart of Maria (María Rey-Jol) a young, dreamy and naïve soprano.
A more mature woman, Carmen (Meyca Teba) a mezzo soprano looks for love in the audience. Then in the company there is Enrique (Enrique Sánchez-Ramos) short in height but tall in swagger and full of self confidence who is a baritone and ready to deliver a fully exciting “Toreador”. Enrique is much admired by Franelli (Michaël Koné) a counter tenor, as tall as he is high in vocal range, and a quirky dresser.
There is wonderful singing of some of opera’s finest tunes. There are full length excerpts from Pagliacci, of “Nessum Dorma” from Turandot sung eventually by Jesús Álvarez after he solves his cough issues. Enrique Sánchez-Ramos sings a fabulous “Toreador” from Carmen. Franelli and Enrique find a homo-erotic romance. There is a great sight joke when Alfredo is caressed by five disembodied hands, two over his shoulders, two around his waist and one from below.
I thought we might be getting a Garry Starr Classic when Franelli sings in the shower behind a stage width towel but Franelli’s musical ambition is also directed towards popular music. They do sing pop songs but only Whitney Houston’s “I Will Love You” and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” have longer sessions. There is a curious choice for the setting of “My Way” when Alfredo is feeling suicidal and sings under a noose.
I did feel the audience participation scene went on too long but it was a joy to hear the two sopranos in the audience sitting behind me echoing Enrique Sánchez-Ramos’ instruction. The advantage of this show is that it crosses language boundaries and can be enjoyed by all. It may be too light hearted a show for the more serious opera goer.
Production Notes
Opera Locos
Original ideal YLLANA and Rami Eldar
Created and Directed by YLLANA Opera Locos
Cast
Starring:
María Rey-Jol
Mayca Teba
Jesús Álvarez
Enrique Sánchez-Ramos
Michaël Koné
Creatives
Artistic Directors: David Ottone and Joe O’Curneen (YLLANA)
Musical Directors: Marc Álvarez and Manuel Covestors
Choreography: Carlos Chamorro
Set Design: Tatiana De Sarabia, David Ottone, Yeray González
Sound Design: Luis López de Segovia
Costume Design:Tatiana de Sarabia
Information
Running Time: 95 minutes including a 20 minute interval
Booking until 28th February 2026
Theatre:
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
Rosebery Avenue
London EC1R 4TN
Box Office: 020 7863 8000
Tube: The Angel
Website: https://yllana.com/en/
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge at
Sadler’s Wells
on 24th February 2026