United Kingdom Bach, Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven: Murray Perahia (piano). Barbican Hall, London, 11.6.2017. (CC)
Colin Clarke
Puccini’s La Rondine Opens the 2017 Opera Holland Park Season
United Kingdom Puccini, La Rondine (sung in Italian: first version, with interpolated first act Romanza): Cast and Chorus of Holland Park Opera; City of London Sinfonia / Matthew Kofi Waldren. Holland Park, London, 1.6.2017. (CC)
Iván Fischer’s Fascinating Illumination of Bartók’s Musical Roots
United Kingdom Bartók: Márta Sebastyén (folk singer) with István Kádár (folk violin), András Szabó (folk viola); Zsolt Fejérvári (folk double-bass), Ildikó Komlósi (mezzo-soprano – Judith); Krisztián Cser (bass – Duke Bluebeard); Budapest Festival Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor, speaker). Royal Festival Hall, London, 23.5.2017. (CC)
A Fine Performance of Jephtha
United Kingdom Handel – Jephtha: Soloists, Holst Singers, Academy of Ancient Music / Stephen Layton (conductor), St John’s Smith Square, London, 20.5.2017. (CC)
Ravi Shankar’s Fascinating Sukanya
United Kingdom Ravi Shankar – Sukanya (completed David Murphy/Anoushka Shankar, world premiere run, semi-staged): Soloists; Aakash Odedra Company (Rukmini Vijahakumar, Sanjukta Sinha, Gauri Diwakar, Gaurav Ghatti, dancers); Pirasanna Thevarajah (ghatam, morsing, mrindangam, konnokol); Rajkumar Misra (tabla); Parimal Sadaphal (sitar); Ashwani Shankar (shehnai); M. Balachandar (mrindangam, konnokol); BBC Singers; London Philharmonic Orchestra / David Murphy (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 19.5.2017. (CC)
A Remarkable Evening with Laurie Anderson and Philip Glass
United Kingdom American Style: Laurie Anderson (voice/electric guitar); Philip Glass (piano); Rubin Kodheli (cello). Barbican Hall, London, 17.5.2017. (CC)
Even After a Long Evening this Superb Account of Ariodante Leaves One Wanting More
United Kingdom Handel, Ariodante (semi-staged): Soloists, The English Concert / Harry Bicket (conductor/harpsichord). Barbican Hall, London, 16.5.2017. (CC)
Despite An Unimpressive Production Bertrand De Billy and the Royal Opera Deliver a Compelling Don Carlo
United Kingdom Verdi, Don Carlo: Cast, Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Bertrand de Billy. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 12.5.2017. (CC)
