The cultural influence of Ovid’s Metamorphoses is immeasurable. A source of inspiration for artists, sculptors, novelists, poets and composers for centuries, its myths have furnished countless composers and librettists with…
Category: Reviews
Canciones: Bach-Brouwer – cultural fusions from Andreas Scholl and Edin Karamazov
The mere mention of the word ‘crossover’ can be enough to raise the hackles of classical music lovers for whom the genre-splicer suggests not a genuine instinct for synchronous musical…
Florencia en el Amazonas at Lyric Opera of Chicago
For its final production during Fall 2021, Lyric Opera of Chicago staged Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas with Ana María Martínez in the title role of the diva confronting…
The Other Erlking: Nicholas Mogg and Jâms Coleman present the songs and ballads of Carl Loewe
A cursory scan down the contents list of The Other Erlking, recently released by baritone Nicholas Mogg and pianist Jâms Coleman on the Champs Hill label, might mislead, titles such…
Es ist ein Ros: Dresdner Kammerchor sing Praetorius
Some composer-anniversaries are feted – it sometimes seems as if Beethoven 250 is still running – and other musical milestones do not emerge from the shadows. 2021 was the 50th,…
Angels and Demons: Christmas Eve with I Fagiolini
I Fagiolini can always be relied upon to bring a double shot of invention and intellect to a choral Christmas cocktail. Stalwarts of VOCES8’s Live from London festivals, their Monterverdian…
A Renaissance Christmas: Stile Antico, live from London
Place ‘A Renaissance Christmas’ alongside ‘Stile Antico’ and one might comfortingly anticipate familiar festive fare, immaculately performed. That final expectation was rewardingly fulfilled in this instalment of VOCES8’s Live from…
Singing of surpassing beauty from The Dunedin Consort: Ich habe genug
Here’s a disc of outstanding solo performances from the Dunedin Consort of three of J.S. Bach’s finest cantatas. John Butt’s musicians have already garnered considerable critical acclaim, and two of…
Gallic elegance from Les Arts Florissants in Charpentier’s Un Oratorio de Noël
Originally issued almost forty years ago, this re-release reminds us of the ease and certainty with which William Christie navigates his way through uncharted French Baroque territory at a time…
‘Hymns to the Virgin’: The Tallis Scholars at St John’s Smith Square
St John’s Smith Square’s 36th Christmas Festival has gone ahead as planned. That in itself is something to grant seasonal cheer, especially at what again is proving a trying time…