United Kingdom Beethoven and Schubert: Paul Lewis (piano), Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin), Lawrence Power (viola), Bjørg Lewis (cello), Alois Posch (double bass). Wigmore Hall, London, 22.12.2014 (MB)
Mark Berry
Christian Gerhaher’s Mahler Recital Does Not Disappoint
United Kingdom Mahler: Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Gerold Huber (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 19.12. 2014 (MB)
Elektra in Dresden: Not a Vintage Evening
Germany Strauss, Elektra: Soloists, Chorus of the Saxon State Opera (chorus master: Wolfram Tetzner), Staatskapelle Dresden, Peter Schneider (conductor). Semperoper, Dresden, 15.12.2014 (MB)
Der Rosenkavalier in Dresden: A superlative evening!
Germany Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier: Soloists, Chorus of the Saxon State Opera (chorus master: Wolfram Tetzner), Members of the Children’s Chorus of the Saxon State Opera, Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann (conductor). Semperoper, Dresden, 14.12.2014 (MB)
Patrice Chéreau’s Masterly Janáček Staging Memorably Revived in Berlin
Germany Janáček, From the House of the Dead: Soloists, Chorus of the Berlin State Opera (chorus master: Martin Wright), Staatskapelle Berlin, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Schillertheater, Berlin, 13.12.2014 (MB)
Fioroni Focuses on Political Implications and Sadistic Undercurrents in Turandot
Germany Puccini, Turandot: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: William Spaulding) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin / Ivan Repušič (conductor), Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 12.12.2014 (MB)
Messiah from Tenebrae and Nigel Short
United Kingdom Handel, Messiah: Grace Davidson (soprano), Martha McLorinan (mezzo-soprano), David de Winter (tenor), William Gaunt (bass). Tenebrae, English Chamber Orchestra, Nigel Short (conductor). Cadogan Hall, London, 10.12.2014 (MB)
Pierre-Laurent Aimard Excels in an Important New Birtwistle Piece
Stravinsky, Birtwistle, Messiaen: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 6.12.2014 (MB)