Handel: a debut solo album from countertenor Barnaby Smith

In August 2021, as part of VOCES8’s Live From London Summer 2021 Festival, countertenor Barnaby Smith, soprano Mary Bevan and the The Illyria Consort (led by violinist Bojan Čičić) presented…

In the Bleak Midwinter: Christmas Carols from King’s

For those who like a physical recording of a world-renowned Christmas broadcast, this recent disc from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge will provide a timely reminder of exceptional circumstances.…

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Met

Last week I attended the recent MET revival of Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg alone. My wife declined to join me, insisting that she could not bear hearing endless…

Passion: operatic mix ‘n’ match from Véronique Gens

Passion is an imaginary opera built around the music of Jean-Baptiste Lully, and three of his pupils and contemporaries.  It’s the result of discussions between Baroque specialist Véronique Gens and…

The Samling Institute 25th Anniversary Showcase at Wigmore Hall

Since its foundation in 1996, The Samling Institute for Young Artists has supported the careers of some 350 singers and musicians.  Its 25th birthday was celebrated at Wigmore Hall by…

Transfigured Strauss and breathtaking Wagner: Miah Persson sings Vier letze Lieder and Rouvali conducts The Ring Without Words

It’s not often that I review a concert back to front, but this Philharmonia pairing of Strauss and Wagner is in part better understood that way. Both composers used huge…

Dramas of darkness and light: a stunning Bluebeard and sunny Haydn from the LPO and Gardner

In 1911, 30-year-old Béla Bartók began work on an instructive edition of seventeen of Haydn’s Piano Sonatas.  Between February and September that year, he also composed his first and only…

‘Christmas with Jonas Kaufmann’ at the Royal Albert Hall

Widely acknowledged as the world’s leading tenor, the singer shares his personal favourite songs of the festive season in Christmas with Jonas Kaufmann at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday…

Le nozze di Figaro: Hampstead Garden Opera

HGO (formerly Hampstead Garden Opera) has been one of the musical heroes of the pandemic. Last year, it brought opera back to London with Holst’s Savītri; this year, it was…

Sharp slaps and pungent pyrotechnics: Glyndebourne’s Don Pasquale at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

There was pungent, post-explosion smoke in the Marlowe Theatre during the performance of Glyndebourne’s touring production of Don Pasquale, and it wasn’t all the result of the pyrotechnics with which…