Cryptic crossword No 3,188

I've been waiting all week, it was well worth the wait! Nina arrived in time to help quite a bit. Faves include 11a,19a,26a,2d,9d,16d,21d. Thanks for a great puzzle as always

Hi Gennaro - a very nice crossword - all very clearly and fairly clued so I got round ok despite a few tricks and gk. Some lovely surfaces - I particularly liked how much imagery you squeezed into the concise 16d, 26a and 11a. Cheers

Very good thank you, helped by theme/Nina. Liked the following ones in particular: 2d, 21d, 24a, 22a, 15d, 6a

I thought, it’s Gennaro, so who’s likely to be the composer? Not hard then to identify the nina, proving particularly helpful with 13a! Despite the challenge of appreciating the opera I had no trouble appreciating this - a lesson for me in effective simplicity. In 11a ‘barbaric’ resonated with me having just watched the wood opposite us being felled. But for the nina 13a would have remained a desperate search amongst jumpers, earls and counties. 1d and 4d were neat, and 21d rather sweet. Thanks

Took me until today to get to this - work - but it was worth it. Faves: 11a, 13a (had one once), 14a, 9d (won one once all the way to regional state finals), 1d, 20d. Had to reveal 15d. Nice Nina, still not my thing but I'm always learning something. Many thanks!

Very enjoyable surfaces throughout with a hidden message that helped me near the end. I liked ‘barbaric clan’ and the ridiculous image of them collaborating to cut a tree top. 13a, 22a, 24a, 25a, 5d, 8d (neat), 20d amongst my favs. Thanks Gennaro. And I’ve noticed an Italian reference in almost all of your puzzles, happily kept just about alive here with 26a.

Thanks Gennaro. A nho nina for me but it did help with LOI 1d. All solid stuff. PM