A strange evening: I very much enjoyed this new Rusalka, though found myself slightly haunted by the suspicion I did so more than I should have done. Musically magnificent yet…
Carmen in Marseille
A proven production of real interest, beautifully conducted with an excellent cast just now at the Opéra de Marseille. This Jean-Louis Grinda production originated at the Opera de Toulouse in…
English Touring Opera: Giulio Cesare at the Hackney Empire
English Touring Opera opened its Spring 2023 season with a revival of James Conway’s fine 2017 production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare. The production was revived in 2020, but that run…
Das Rheingold at English National Opera
Like the Biblical cosmos, that of the Ring offers more than one creation myth, perhaps not entirely consistent with one another. Therein lies the dramatic rub. Richard Jones’s new production…
Cilea’s Gloria in Sardinia
Beyond its emerald waters, white sands and pecorino cheese, Sardinia is an opera destination! Just now it was Francesco Cilea’s fifth and last opera, Gloria, at the Teatro Lirico di…
Sacroprofano: Sacred & Secular Vivaldi from Tim Mead and Arcangelo
On the concert platform, operatic stage and recording studio, Tim Mead has established himself as one of Britain’s foremost countertenors. This recent issue from Alpha is his first solo album…
Szymanowski’s Symphony No.3, The Song of the Night, in a mixed evening at the Barbican
This was an odd concert – supposedly with a Polish link, in that its bookends were two symphonies from that country, and two symphonies at that which were born out…
Ariadne auf Naxos in Leeds
Rodula Gaitanou’s production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos debuted at Gothenburg Opera in 2018. A co-production with Opera North, the production finally made its way to Leeds, opening at…
Carmen at English National Opera
Calixto Bieito’s grimly visualised Carmen has now reached its third revival. First presented by ENO at the Coliseum in 2012 (and much travelled around Europe since its launch in Barcelona…
Glyndebourne: Dialogues des Carmélites cast change
Danielle de Niese has withdrawn from the Glyndebourne Festival 2023 production of Dialogues des Carmélites. Sally Matthews will take over the role of Blanche, returning to Glyndebourne after several successful engagements. Sally…