‘So, we grew together,Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,But yet an union in partition,Two lovely berries moulded on one stem.’ I don’t know if Mascagni knew his Shakespeare, but…
Author: Claire Seymour
A New Day: The King’s Singers, Live from London
The King’s Singers’ Live from London Summer programme was titled, optimistically, A New Day, reflecting the series’ theme of renewal and regeneration, and drawing together music ‘with a focus on…
Le Comte Ory: a riotous romp concludes Garsington’s 2021 season
Announcing that there was a full house assembled for the final performance of Garsington’s Le Comte Ory, the Festival’s artistic director Douglas Boyd was greeted by a spontaneous burst of…
Garsington Opera 2021 Season Awards
As the Season comes to a close, Garsington Opera announces the recipients of its four awards for young artists, presented in recognition of their professional and personal contributions and musical…
Notting Hill Carnival comes to Opera Holland Park, 19-21 August 2021
Opera Holland Park is delighted to announce a partnership with Notting Hill Carnival, bringing calypso, steelpan and Caribbean jazz to the theatre for three concerts on 19, 20 and 21…
Seven Ages: a magical and consoling journey through life’s hopes, fears and humility
I hate to fall back on cliché, but this really was a ‘dream-team’ recital at Middle Temple Hall, in which tenor Mark Padmore, baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Julius Drake…
Nardus Williams’ debut solo recital at Wigmore Hall
A solo debut recital at Wigmore Hall is a big occasion, and soprano Nardus Williams can be forgiven for looking a little nervous as she ventured onto the platform, with…
Russian pessimism, potently performed by countertenor Hamish McLaren
There was no musical equivalent in Russia of the outpouring of Romantic lieder which occurred in Western Europe, as, inspired by the greatest poets of the day, song after song…
‘All shall be well’: ORA Singers and Zeb Soanes reassure and inspire
The optimistic words of Julian of Norwich (1342-c.1417) might seem out of place in the modern world. Yet, Mother Julian, as the English anchorite and mystic came to be known,…
Great Women: the words and lives of four powerful 20th-century Irish women are brought to life by composer Gráinne Mulvey and soprano Elizabeth Hilliard
Born Constance Gore-Booth in County Sligo in February 1868, Countess Constance Markievicz was a co-commander in the 1916 Easter Rising and the first Irish woman elected to Parliament. Alongside Markievicz…