United Kingdom Mozart, Bruckner: Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), London Symphony Orchestra / Nathalie Stutzmann (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 8.2.2024. (JR)
London
The Royal Ballet are on top form and Natalia Osipova is the ultimate dancer and actor as Manon
United Kingdom Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon: Dancers of The Royal Ballet, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Koen Kessels (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Ross MacGibbon) from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 3.2.2024. (JPr)
The Royal Opera’s Tosca gets a disappointing revival with tired and inadequate principal singers
United Kingdom Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Karen Kamensek (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 5.2.2024. (CC)
A thrilling evening of music making from the LSO conducted at the last-minute by Dima Slobodeniouk
United Kingdom Wennäkoski, Beethoven, Sibelius: Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), London Symphony Orchestra / Dima Slobodeniouk (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 4.2.2024. (KMcD)
In its first revival ENO’s The Handmaid’s Tale remains an impressive piece of theatre
United Kingdom Poul Ruders, The Handmaid’s Tale: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Joana Carneiro (conductor). London Coliseum, 3.2.2024. (CC)
Gently revelatory Coleridge-Taylor symphony from Chineke! at the Royal Festival Hall
United Kingdom Watts, Saint-Saëns, Coleridge-Taylor: William Campbell (organ), Chineke! Orchestra / Leslie Suganandarajah (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 2.2.2024. (CK)
Andrew Staples is remarkable as Jephte and Dido and Aeneas is beautifully rendered at the Barbican
United Kingdom Carissimi’s Jephte and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas: Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of Il Pomo d’Oro / Maxim Emelyanychev (harpsichord and conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 2.2.2024, (AK)
Truly beautiful Berlioz and Mahler from the Philharmonia under Santtu-Matias Rouvali
United Kingdom Berlioz, Mahler: Anu Komsi (soprano), Philharmonia Orchestra / Santtu-Matias Rouvali (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London 1.2.2024. (JR)