Sex and death in Italy

A BREATHLESS eroticism pounds through Montemezzi's L'Amore deitre Re as violently and noisily as a stampede of horses overcobbles.

The work may be unsubtle, but its impact is shattering. Writtenin 1913, it enjoyed popularity until around 1950 when it suddenlyfell from favour, perhaps on grounds of taste. A little operaticnecrophilia goes a long way.

For sheer commitment to this lurid verismo rarity, Holland Park'sproduction is faultless. A startled audience sat gripped for theintense 95 minutes (without interval), helped by an effectiveFascist-era staging and an assured quartet of soloists pouring theirhearts out in the hyper-dramatic main roles. Set in the Middle …