United Kingdom Various: Malin Byström (soprano) and Magnus Svensson (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 30.9.2024. (KMcD)
Byström’s Wigmore Hall recital confirms her status as one of today’s most exciting sopranos
Keith McDonnell
Garsington Opera’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a Proms evening of musical magic
United Kingdom PROM 68 – Garsington Opera’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Soloists, Garsington Opera Youth Company, Philharmonia Orchestra / Douglas Boyd (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 10.9.2024. (KMcD)
Britten’s harrowing, yet uplifting, War Requiem at the Proms will linger long in the memory
United Kingdom PROM 37 – Britten’s War Requiem, Op.66: Natalya Romaniw (soprano0, Allan Clayton (tenor), Will Liverman (baritone), Tiffin Boys’ Choir, BBC Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 17.8.2024. (KMcD)
My Favourite Things: an evening to treasure from Louise Alder, Ben Bliss and James Baillieu
United Kingdom My Favourite Things: Louise Alder (soprano), Ben Bliss (tenor) and James Baillieu (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 2.6.2024. (KMcD)
Beaming smiles from members of the BBC SO as Jader Bignamini debuts with Pépin, Poulenc and Berlioz
United Kingdom Pépin, Poulenc, Berlioz: Elizabeth Watts (soprano), BBC Symphony Chorus (director: Neil Ferris) and Orchestra / Jader Bignamini (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 19.4.2024. (KMcD)
A thrilling evening of music making from the LSO conducted at the last-minute by Dima Slobodeniouk
United Kingdom Wennäkoski, Beethoven, Sibelius: Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), London Symphony Orchestra / Dima Slobodeniouk (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 4.2.2024. (KMcD)
Dvořák’s underrated operatic masterpiece triumphs with superb singing in Brno’s excellent production
Czech Republic Dvořák, The Jacobin: Soloists, Dancers, Children’s Choir, Chorus and Orchestra of the Janáček Theatre Brno / Jacub Klecker (conductor). National Theatre Brno, 26.11.2023. (GT)
Under a conductor who definitely brings out the LSO’s best, this was a fabulous evening of music-making.
United Kingdom Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin: Kirill Gerstein (piano), Sopranos and Altos of the London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra / Susanna Mälkki (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 3.12.2023. (KMcD)
