Satyagraha
English National Opera, London Until Thursday
Rating: 
One of English National Opera’s more obvious curiosities is its persistent failure to deliver readily revivable productions of core repertory. It still finds success with fringe pieces like The Mikado or this Satyagraha, which is now in its fourth revival.
Satyagraha, or ‘truth force’, is based on snapshots from the life of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa, where he based himself between 1893 and 1914. Here he began his career as an agitator, employing, in the words of the programme book, ‘The conviction that love not violence provides the strongest means of fighting oppression’, ie Satyagraha.
Philip Glass’s compositional technique involves endless repetition of the same melodic strand. They are so convinced that Acts 1 and 2 have the same melody strands.
In Acts 1 and 2 it all works because of the power of Philip Glass’s music, especially in the orchestra and the performers, led by the American tenor Sean Panikkar as Gandhi (above)
In Acts 1 and 2 it all works because of the power of Glass’s music, especially in the orchestra; the performers, led by the American tenor Sean Panikkar as Gandhi; and last but not least the staging by the original director, Phelim McDermott.
Sadly Act 3 is disappointing because Glass’s creative powers fall away. It’s dominated by two musical themes of mind-numbing tedium, the second of them no more than an endlessly repeated rising scale.
But don’t let that put you off. The first two acts are a spectacular theatrical experience and must be seen. You always have the option to leave before Act 3.