Dragons and slayers: a new recording of Lampe’s burlesque opera The Dragon of Wantley from Resonus Classics

‘A dragon is no idle fancy.  Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of men’s imagination, richer in significance than…

Kaleidoscope: in conversation with Fatma Said

kaleidoscope (OED): ‘an optical instrument containing pieces of coloured glass which may be rotated into constantly altering, brightly coloured, symmetrical figures and reflections; a constantly changing group of bright colours…

The Vache Baroque Festival 2022: in conversation with co-founder Betty Makharinsky

The myth of Orpheus and the story of opera are inextricable.  Gifted the first musical instrument, the lyre, by his father, Apollo, Orpheus and his art represent man’s need to…

A premiere recording of Handel’s pasticcio, Caio Fabbricio, by London Early Opera

1733 was not a good year for George Frideric Handel.  His business affairs were in a shaky state, the collapse of the Royal Academy in 1728 having forced him, in…

Richard Davidson-Houston appointed as Managing Director of Glyndebourne

Glyndebourne is delighted to announce that Richard Davidson-Houston will become Managing Director this autumn. Working alongside Artistic Director Stephen Langridge, Richard will lead Glyndebourne in continuing to achieve our mission…

Alexander Chance announced as winner of International Handel Singing Competition

On Friday 8th April 2022, countertenor Alexander Chance was announced as the winner of the International Handel Singing Competition following the final which took place at London’s St George’s Church, Hanover Square.  Alexander Chance was also awarded the Audience Prize and fellow…

Tête à Tête‘s wider season for 2022 sees the company continue to develop artists on a national level

Tête à Tête has unveiled its wider season for 2022, which will see the outlandish opera company continue to ferment and mature artists across the country to show talented theatre-makers what is possible…

Staging Handel’s Tamerlano: a conversation with Dionysios Kyropoulos

Tamerlane (1336-1405): Mongol conqueror, masterful military leader and tactician, murderous tyrant.  The son of a nomadic shepherd Taraqai – a minor nobleman from the Barlas tribe – Tamerlane (also known…

Mirages: Roderick Williams and Roger Vignoles explore the ‘art’ of French song

The repertory of French mélodie must comprise many thousands of songs.  The genre, which developed in the early 1800s and reached full maturity in the second half of the century, was…

Exclusive first look behind the scenes of Katie Mitchell’s thrilling new production of Handel’s Theodora

Acclaimed director Katie Mitchell’s gripping new production of Handel’s Theodora opens at the Royal Opera House on Monday 31st January 2022. Not heard in Covent Garden since its 1750 premiere,…