If combining the anniversaries of both Purcell and Handel in one production at the Royal Opera was something of a master-stroke, then getting the Royal Ballet in on the act must have seemed to be verging on the brilliant from a commercial point of view.
Author: Gary Hoffman
Rolando VillazÛn — Handel
When considering his next recording project, notes Rolando VillazÛn, the idea of working on a set of Handel arias with Paul McCreesh was “not an obvious choice.”
Bloch’s Macbeth by UC Opera, London
Mention Macbeth — The Opera and most think of Verdi. Ernest Bloch took on the subject more than half a century later, in Paris in 1910, when Verdi’s version was almost as obscure as Bloch’s is today.
Magdalena Kožen· shines in Martinů’s Juliette at the Barbican, London
Many works by Martinů will be performed in this year’s commemoration of the anniversary of his death, but it would be hard to equal the impact of this performance. Much of its success was due to Kožen·, whose presence illuminated the whole opera, even though her moments on stage were fleeting.
The 20 best classical divas
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/classical/article5982166.ece
Philippe Jaroussky, Purcell Room, London
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0e7902e8-1859-11de-bec8-0000779fd2ac.html
Kentridge’s ‘Return of Ulysses’
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/25/DDUT16MPIF.DTL
Lessons lie in tragedy of ‘Peter Grimes’
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bal-li.clefnotes26.1mar26,0,1319018.story