“Gli arredi festivi gi˘ cadano infranti, Il popol di Giuda di lutto s’ammanti!”. Verdi’s Nabucco at the Royal Opera House respected the spirit of the opera.
Author: Anne Ozorio
George Benjamin: Written on Skin
George Benjamin’s Written on Skin sinks deeply into the psyche. A Protector wants brightly coloured images to display his power and wealth.
Wagner Parsifal at the Met
This prioduction of Wagner’s Parsifal, directed by FranÁois Girard, premiered in Lyons last year. The Met, being a far wealthier house, was able to assemble a truly spectacular cast: Jonas Kaufmann, RenÈ Pape, Katarina Dalayman, Peter Mattei and Evgeny Nikitin. Success guaranteed, even if the production is European and modern. These performances set new benchmarks. This Parsifal will be the stuff of legend for decades to come.
Hugo Wolf, Wigmore Hall
Fun and Hugo Wolf ? Wolf’s songs are the epitome of art song, due great reverence. But they’re also vibrant with good-hearted wit. This latest concert in Julius Drake’s ongoing “Perspectives” series at the Wigmore Hall brought together Sophie Daneman, Ian Bostridge and Julius Drake, all of whom have been working together for many years. The chemistry was almost palpable.
Essays on Italo Montemezzi – D’Annunzio: Nave
An important new book on Italo Montemezzi sheds light on his opera Nave. The author/editor is David Chandler whose books on Alfredo Catalani have done so much to restore interest in the genre.
Soile Isokoski – Wigmore Hall – Sallinen
Soile Isokoski and Maria Viitasalo made a welcome return to theWigmore Hall, London. Their recital was a masterclass in what singing really should be about: not simply sound production, but the expression of meaning.