Germany Berlin Festtage [2] – Wagner, Die Walküre: Soloists, Staatskapelle Berlin / Thomas Guggeis (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 5.4.2023. (MB)
Die Walküre imaginatively set in a police state and marvellously performed in Berlin
Mark Berry
‘Follow the science’: the start of an intriguing new perspective on the Ring cycle in Berlin
Germany Berlin Festtage [1] – Wagner, Das Rheingold: Actors, Soloists, Staatskapelle Berlin / Thomas Guggeis (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 4.4.2023. (MB)
A welcome post-Covid step back towards operatic ‘normality’ with Der Rosenkavalier in Dresden
Germany Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier: Soloists, Children’s Choir of the Semperoper Dresden, Dresden State Opera Chorus (chorus director: André Kellinghaus), Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden / Cornelius Meister (conductor). Semperoper, Dresden, 3.4.2023. (MB)
Many virtues to the Deutsche Oper’s new production of Arabella
Germany R. Strauss, Arabella: Soloists, Opera-ballet and actors of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Chorus of the Deutsche Oper Berlin (chorus director: Jeremy Bines), Tobias Kratzer (director), Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / Dirk Kaftan (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 1.4.2023. (MB)
Strong musical performances, but a strangely inert new production of Idomeneo
Germany Mozart, Idomeneo: Soloists, Movement Group, Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus director: Martin Wright), Staatskapelle Berlin / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 30.3.2023. (MB)
The Dead City: ENO’s justly ambitious, laudable Korngold project
United Kingdom Korngold, The Dead City (Die tote Stadt): Soloists, Members of the Finchley Children’s Music Group (chorus director: Grace Rossiter), Chorus and Orchestra of the English National Opera / Kirill Karabits (conductor). London Coliseum, 25.3.2023. (MB)
Mahler’s vision of the Beethoven Ninth excitingly revealed by Vasily Petrenko and the RPO
United Kingdom Beethoven and Mahler: Elizabeth Watts (soprano), Claudia Huckle (contralto), Nicky Spence (tenor), Matthew Brook (bass-baritone), The Bach Choir, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 22.3.2023. (MB)
A life-affirming Figaro from Royal Academy Opera
United Kingdom Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro: Soloists, Chorus, Royal Academy Sinfonia / Alice Farnham (conductor). Susie Sainsbury Theatre, Royal Academy of Music, London, 21.3.2023. (MB)
