SINCE 1999 A LIVE REVIEW SITE FOR OPERA, BALLET, CONCERTS, BROADCASTS, AND THEATRE
Germany Martines, Mozart, Schmidt: Evgeny Kissin (pianist), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Fabio Luisi (conductor). Live in the Digital Concert Hall from the Philharmonie Berlin, 7.10.2023. (GT)
The Bulgarian mezzo-soprano Gergana Rusekova talks to Gregor Tassie
Among the outstanding performances of the 2023 Wagner Festival in Sofia were those of the Brünnhilde in Die Walkure and the Kundry in Parsifal given by the young mezzo-soprano Gergana Rusekova. In my review of Die Walküre, I wrote, ‘Immediately, we are aware of the striking vocal gifts and personality of Gergana Rusekova, ‘Vater! Vater! Sage, was ist dir?’ And a couple of weeks later, in Parsifal, she was even more impressive, ‘The Kundry of Gergana Rusekova was world-class in both singing and characterisation – every word was clear and beautiful at times when revealing her plight and in other scenes of her lustful desire.’
United Kingdom Beethoven, Capperauld, Tchaikovsky: Kirill Gerstein (pianist), Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor), City Halls, Glasgow, 29.9.2023. (GT)
United Kingdom Mozart, Bartók, Tchaikovsky: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra / András Keller (conductor). Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 17.9.2023. (GT)
The German conductor Constantin Trinks talks to Gregor Tassie
The Sofia Opera and Ballet company’s Wagner Festival staged seven operas during July this year; six of which including the Ring cycle were conducted by Constantin Trinks, over just six days! This workload would break many musicians, yet Trinks took it all in his stride despite the often-intensive heatwave which hit Bulgaria this summer – often temperatures were touching 37ºC outside. Despite all of this, he directed outstanding performances achieving the maximum results from his singers, chorus and musicians.
United Kingdom Scottish International Piano Competition: Jonathan Mamora, Yonggi Woo, Yilei Hao, Royal Scottish National Orchestra / David Niemann (conductor). Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 1 to 10.9.2023. (GT)
United Kingdom Richard Strauss, Daphne: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Stuart Stratford (conductor). Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 5.9.2023. (GT)
Gregor Tassie talks to Sofia Opera’s Iordanka Derilova about her career and her return to performing in Bulgaria
One of the highlights of the recent Sofia Ring cycle was the outstanding performance of the dramatic soprano Iordanka Derilova – both for her superb vocal talents and her complete characterisation as Brünnhilde. I had seen her Brünnhilde before in the Blu-ray recording of the first Sofia Ring in 2013, of which I wrote, ‘Derilova as Brünnhilde displays extraordinary stamina and vocal strength, and acting make her the star of the show.’ I was surprised that I had not heard her before, yet the Kammersängerin – who is the leading soprano in Dessau, has been singing on some of Europe’s finest theatres since 1998.