Consummate Haydn and generic Joel Thompson from ENO’s short and skewed Seven Last Words

United KingdomUnited Kingdom English National Opera’s Seven Last Words: Nardus Williams (soprano), Idunnu Münch, (mezzo-soprano), Frederick Ballentine (tenor), Soloman Howard (bass), Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera Chorus / Eamonn Dougan (conductor, Haydn), Kellen Gray (conductor, Thompson). 13.4.2022. (CC)

[l-r] Nardus Williams, Idunnu Münch, Frederick Ballentine, Soloman Howard and ENO Chorus © Lloyd Winters

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Simply beautiful programming from wind soloists of the Orchestre Symphonique d’Orléans

FranceFrance Concours International de Piano d’Orléans: Concert by the Soloists of the Orchestre Symphonique d’Orléans (Pierre Baranger, [flute], Christophe Patrix [oboe], Olivier Petit [clarinet], Philippe Recard [bassoon], David Harnois [horn] with Chae-Um Kim [piano]). Salle de l’Institut, Orléans, France, 9.4.2022. (CC)

2020 performance of Poulenc’s Sextet on YouTube: Chae-Um Kim (piano), Pierre Baranger (flute) and David Harnois (horn)

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Seeds of hope for the future and musical magnificence from Joyce DiDonato’s Eden at the Barbican

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Joyce DiDonato’s Eden: Joyce DiDonato (mezzo-soprano), Il Pomo d’Oro / Maxim Emelyanychev (director/harpsichord) with the choirs of Bishop Ramsey CE School and Music Centre London. Barbican Hall, London, 5.4.2022. (CC)

Eden with Joyce DiDonato (c) Mark Allan

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Simply magnificent Voříšek symphony and Beethoven Ninth from Hrůša and the Philharmonia

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Voříšek, Beethoven: Lyubov Petrova (soprano), Hanna Hipp (mezzo-soprano), Nicky Spence (tenor), Solomon Howard (bass), Philharmonia Voices, Crouch End Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra / Jakub Hrůša (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 3.4.2022. (CC)

Jakub Hrůša conducts the Philharmonia (c) Andy Paradise

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Covent Garden’s latest La traviata revival showcases Pretty Yende’s Violetta which is one for the ages

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Verdi, La traviata: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Giacomo Sagripanti (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 2.4.2022. (CC)

Stephen Costello (Alfredo) and Dimitri Platanias (Giorgio Germont) © Tristram Kenton

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