United Kingdom BBC Proms 2026 [3] – Kurtág, Mahler: BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 22.7.2026. (JR)
BBC Symphony Orchestra firing on all cylinders for its Mahler Sixth Prom
John Rhodes
Fine singing despite a disappointing orchestra for New Palace Opera’s Katya Kabanova
United Kingdom Janáček, Katya Kabanova: Soloists, New Palace Opera Orchestra / Michael Thorne (conductor). St. John’s Waterloo, London, 19.7.2026. (JR)
Regents Opera’s minimalist Rigoletto falls well short of their usual quality
United Kingdom Verdi, Rigoletto: Soloists, Orchestra of Regents Opera / Ben Woodward (piano/conductor). Bloomsbury Theatre, London, 17.7.2026. (JR)
Compelling revival of Billy Budd at Glyndebourne
United Kingdom Britten, Billy Budd: Soloists, Children’s Chorus (chorus master: Nicholas Mulroy), The Glyndebourne Chorus (chorus director: Aidan Oliver), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Nicholas Carter (conductor). Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Lewes, East Sussex, 5.7.2026. (JR)
Grange Park Opera’s sparky Das Rheingold augurs well for its forthcoming Ring cycle
United Kingdom Grange Park Opera 2026 [2] – Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, Orchestra of English National Opera / Harry Sever (conductor) Grange Park Opera, West Horsley, 26.6.2026. (JR)
Lewisham Choral Society and a first-rate trio of soloists deliver a fine War Requiem
United Kingdom Britten, War Requiem: Philippa Boyle (soprano), Gwilym Bowen (tenor), Daniel Tate (baritone), Lewisham Choral Society, KölnChor, Rheinischer Kammerchor Köln (chorus master, conductor: Wolfgang Siegenbrink), The Emerald Choir (chorus master: Clare Caddick), Forest Philharmonic Orchestra / Dan Ludford-Thomas (musical director, conductor). Goldsmiths Great Hall, University of London, London, 25.4.2026. (JR)
Regents Opera’s chilling Salome had many merits and packed a punch
United Kingdom R. Strauss, Salome: Soloists and Orchestra of Regents Opera / Ben Woodward (conductor), York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, 23.4.2026. (JR)
Pappano assembles a dream team for his Gerontius with the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra
United Kingdom Elgar, The Dream of Gerontius: Emily D’Angelo (mezzo-soprano), David Butt Philip (tenor), William Thomas (bass), London Symphony Chorus (chorus director: Mariana Rosas), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 21.4.2026. (JR)
