United States Various, A Concert for Ukraine: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera House on 14.3.2022 and available here through 21.3.2022. (JPr)
Jim Pritchard
Adam Woodyatt revels in the twists and turns of Peter James’s Looking Good Dead
United Kingdom Peter James’s Looking Good Dead: Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, 14.3.2022. (JPr)
In Dresden, Christian Thielemann’s first Aida is a triumph
Germany Verdi, Aida: Soloists, Dancers, Dresden State Opera Chorus, Staatskapelle Dresden / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Livestreamed (directed by Michael Beyer) on 13.3.2022 from the Semperoper Dresden and available until 12.6.2022. (JPr)
Brilliant Tchaikovsky with the Philharmonia from UK debutant pianist Bruce Liu
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky: Bruce Liu (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra / Santtu-Matias Rouvali (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 10.3.2022. (MBr)
Focus is on Lise Davidsen but Isabel Leonard, Brenda Rae and Marek Janowski make the Met’s Ariadne an ensemble success
United States Richard Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Marek Janowski (conductor). Transmitted live (directed by Gary Halvorson) from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, 12.3.2022. (JPr)
Rattle and the LSO were not perfect but a great deal was inspired
United Kingdom Berlioz, Hannah Kendall, Sibelius, Bartók, Ravel: London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Barbican Centre, London, 9.3.2022. (MBr)
Peter Grimes comes ashore as the Dutchman in Stefan Herheim’s new Munich production
Germany Britten, Peter Grimes: Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayerische Staatsoper / Edward Gardner (conductor). Livestreamed (directed by Miriam Hoyer) from Munich’s Nationaltheater, 6.3.2022. (JPr)
Rolando Villazón is in fine voice as he celebrates his 50th with friends at Salzburg’s Haus für Mozart
Austria ¡Cincuentañero! Rolando Villazón turns 50: Rolando Villazón, Charles Castronovo (tenors), Plácido Domingo (tenor/baritone), Magdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano), Regula Mühlemann, Fatma Said (sopranos) and Michael Volle (baritone), Barbara Rett (host), Camarata Salzburg / Giedrė Šlekytė (conductor). Recorded live (directed by Beatrix Conrad) in the Haus für Mozart, Salzburg, 21.2.2022. (JPr)
