Simon Rattle’s survey of the Janáček operas has proved a tale of two cities: Berlin (first the Philharmonic and latterly the Staatsoper) and London (the LSO). The latter has been…
Washington National Opera’s The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs: Mesmerizing Tech Opera
Having heard two of the Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz young artists at an event at the Kreeger Museum in D.C. earlier this season, I knew I was in for something…
Handel’s Jephtha at the Barbican
Handel’s last oratorio presents, as amongst the composer’s catalogue of undeniable masterpieces, a masterwork of stunning stature. Not a note is misplaced in Jephtha: long though it is (more of…
TRAB: The Rest is Dust premieres in Malta
On the Maltese islands, the principal venues for full-scale opera are the Astra and Aurora opera houses on Gozo. While Valletta can pride itself on the exquisite 18th century Teatro…
Telemann’s witty social comedy Pimpinone receives a blunter feminist interpretation by Royal Ballet and Opera
Telemann’s Pimpinone (1725) is perhaps second only to Pergolesi’s La serva padrona (whose plot it pre-empts) as one of the best-known examples of that curiosity of 18th century musical theatre,…
Some standout performances put a shine on this intermittently engaging Die Walküre
This second instalment of Barry Kosky’s Ring Cycle develops the fractured relationships partially glimpsed in Das Rheingold unveiled at the Royal Opera House 18 months ago. With his new staging…
Opera Baltimore’s Albert Herring: Merry May!
Years ago, I had the privilege to see Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring in a fully staged and orchestrated production at my alma mater, UNC-Greensboro. It’s an opera that I haven’t…
Multitudes: Mahler – Symphony Nr.8 with the LPO
Any Mahler Eighth Symphony is an occasion. It is an unwieldy, but nevertheless impressive behemoth of a piece. Interestingly enough, my most recent encounter with the symphony was also with…
La bohème at Lyric Opera of Chicago: A Fresh Look at a Traditional Work
The production of Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème featured during the current season at Lyric Opera of Chicago provides the opportunity to experience both vocal and dramatic elements of this work…
Dance, then, wherever you may be: Edward Gardner and the LPO sign up to that
Sydney Carter’s Lord of the Dance might well act as the individual watchword for this concert given by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Edward Gardner which inaugurated a short Southbank…