It is 12 years since Glyndebourne staged Hippolyte et Aricie, and eight since ETO showcased Dardanus, but perhaps Garsington’s success last summer with Rameau’s wicked comedy Platée will have prompted…
Category: Performances
Outward 18th Century Charm with Insights into Character for Glyndebourne’s New The Marriage of Figaro
Mariame Clément’s new production of Le nozze di Figaro doesn’t throw any big or provocative ideas at Mozart’s perennial masterpiece – a mainstay for Glyndebourne and its most performed opera…
A Memorable and Musically Superb Pelléas et Mélisande from Longborough Festival Opera
Bare light bulbs, dazzling lighting rigs and handheld torches dominate Jenny Ogilvie’s new staging of Pelléas et Mélisande at Longborough Festival Opera. The production fulfils a long-held dream by the…
Two Impressive Song Recitals at Aldeburgh Festival
I caught up with two recitals during the festival’s final week; the first, Melodies and Lieder, explored French and German approaches to love, nature and what the next world may…
BBC Singers in Spectacular Form at the Aldeburgh Festival
Peace on earth in troubled times could have been a heading for this text-laden programme of mostly a cappella 20th century choral music. One expects a few challenging works from…
Wolf Trap Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro: Mozart Marries Picasso
Having experienced Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Wolf Trap amphitheater two years ago, I was prepared to enjoy an operatic evening in the outdoors in going to see The Marriage…
Britten to Boulez at the Aldeburgh Festival – Two Standout Concerts
“No one likes us, we don’t care” cheer the supporters of Millwall Football Club – words that might just as well belong to Pierre Boulez and his followers. It’s certainly…
A Captivating & Immersive Eugene Onegin from Wild Arts Opera
What a rare pleasure it was to encounter Wild Arts Opera at Layer Marney Tower in rural Essex. Amongst the delights within its fourth summer season, was the immersive experience…
Die Fledermaus splutters into life at the Grange Festival
Grange Festival’s Fledermaus is a sprawling new production which improves with each act and ends with rib-tickling gags from flamboyant cabaret artiste Myra du Bois. By the time you’ve finished…
At Fifty, OTSL Comes Full Circle with Don Pasquale
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is celebrating fifty fabulous years with this festival, and by returning to the first opera it ever presented, Don Pasquale, it has mined anniversary gold.…