The religious turmoil of sixteenth-century England was characterized not only by factionalism and polarity, but also famously by the charting of a via media, a middle path, through opposing views.
Category: Reviews
MAHLER: Symphonies 1-10 ï Das Lied von der Erde
The late Gary Bertini (1927-2005) was noted for his fine interpretations of Mahlerís work, and his cycle with EMI was esteemed highly. An accomplished musician, Bertini founded the Israeli Chamber Orchestra in 1965, and later become chief conductor of the Jerusalem Symphony.
Body and Soul – A New ìPoppeaî in London
Monteverdiís great work, ìLíIncoronazione di Poppeaî in a ìsemi-stagedî format, has been chosen to showcase the talents of some exciting young singers and musicians in London recently as the first part of an ambitious project aimed at a more holistic approach to singing opera.
TCHAIKOVSKY: Swan Lake
This 2005 release was filmed at a performance in La Scalaís temporary home, Milanís Teatro degli Arcimboldi, in April 2004. It is based on the Burmeister version of the ballet of some 50 years ago, first introduced in the West by the Paris Opera.
Le Nozze di Figaro at ROH ó Four Reviews
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE: “To mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Royal Opera mounts a new production of his setting of the second of Beaumarchais’ domestic but politically charged ‘Figaro’ comedies, as adapted by librettist Lorenzo da Ponte. ”
WAGNER: Der Ring des Nibelungen
It has been nearly thirty years since the centenary production of the Ring at Bayreuth, and the controversy and even scandal that it generated have long since faded into memory.
BRUCKNER: Symphonie no. 6
The symphonies of Anton Bruckner deserve excellent performances to convey the intensity that the composer intended for them, and sometimes an individual performance can offer the opportunity to understand them more clearly.
DAVIES & JAHN: Care of the Professional Voice
This second edition, co-authored by D. Garfield Davies, Consultant Emeritus Otolaryngologist to The Middlesex and University College Hospitals, and Anthony F. Jahn, Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, was published by Routledge in 2004.
HANDEL: Radamisto
Handel went to London as a free-lance musician ñ i.e., ìon his own bottomî ñ in autumn 1710. His Rinaldo of February 1711, with its dazzling arias and scenic spectacles, was resoundingly successful.
Turandot at Carnegie Hall
On 30 January, the Collegiate Chorale presented Puccini: A Composer’s Journey. Here are two reviews.