Germany R. Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Soloists, Children’s Chorus (director: Claudia Sebastian-Bertsch) and Chorus of the Semperoper Dresden, Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Semperoper, Dresden, 27.3.2024. (MB)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
A talented cast combined to make Opera North’s Così fan tutte an eminently enjoyable production
United Kingdom Mozart, Così fan tutte: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North / Clemens Schuldt (conductor). Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, 21.3.2024. (MC)
Opera North’s double bill of Mascagni and Rachmaninov was given highly engaging performances
United Kingdom Opera Double Bill – Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana & Rachmaninov, Aleko: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North / Antony Hermus (conductor). Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, 20.3.2024. (MC)
Tcherniakov’s mostly thought-provoking production of the Ring, magnificently performed in Berlin
Germany Wagner, Der Ring des Nibelungen: Soloists, Staatsopernchor Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin / Philippe Jordan (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 18, 19, 21, and 24.3.2024. (MB)
Bernheim and Sierra are outstanding as Gounod’s star-crossed lovers in the Met’s Roméo et Juliette
United States Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Broadcast Live in HD (directed by Gary Halvorson) from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 23.3.2024. (JPr)
Bremerhaven’s first production of The Apple Tree in German is a gem!
Germany Jeremy Bock and Sheldon Harnick, The Apple Tree: Soloists and chorus of Stadttheater Bremerhaven, Philharmonic Orchestra Bremerhaven / Davide Perniceni (conductor). Stadttheater Bremerhaven, 22.3.2024. (DMD)
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle semi-staged but calamity strikes ENO as soprano withdraws at the eleventh hour
United Kingdom Bartók, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle: Soloists, Orchestra of the English National Opera / Lidiya Yankovskaya (conductor). London Coliseum, 21.3.2024. (JR)
RCS’s outstanding Idomeneo in Glasgow reveals the great potential their singers, chorus and orchestra
United Kingdom Mozart, Idomeneo: Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland / John Butt (conductor). New Atheneum Theatre, Glasgow, 20.3.2024. (GT)