United Kingdom Schumann, Liszt, and Wagner: Imogen Cooper (piano). St John’s, Smith Square, London, 8.6.2016 (MB)
Mark Berry
Small-Scale Wagner Makes A Productively Different Evening
United Kingdom Wagner: Arensky Chamber Orchestra/William Kunhardt (conductor). Oak Room, The Hospital Club, London, 2.6.2016 (MB)
Despite Excellent, Spirited Performances Martinů Opera Double Bill Fails to Resonate
United Kingdom Martinů, Ariane and Alexandre bis: Soloists, Orchestra of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Timothy Redmond (conductor). Silk Street Theatre, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, 31.5.2016. (MB)
Palais Garnier Celebrates Shakespeare’s 400th Anniversary with Reimann’s Lear
United Kingdom Reimann, Lear: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: Alessandro di Stefano) and Orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris, Fabio Luisi (conductor). Palais Garnier, Paris, 29.5.2016. (MB)

A Rare Chance to Hear the Brahms Piano Quartets Together – and in Expert Hands
United Kingdom Brahms: Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Christian Teztlaff (violin), Tabea Zimmermann (viola), Clemens Hagen (cello). Milton Court Concert Hall, London, 28.5.2016. (MB)
Bartók and Kurtág Tellingly Juxtaposed by Cédric Tiberghien
United Kingdom Bartók and Kurtág: Cédric Tiberghien (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 24.5.2016 (MB)
Enescu’s Oedipe – Covent Garden’s Most Important Event this Season?
United Kingdom Enescu, Oedipe: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: Genevieve Ellis), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Leo Hussain (conductor). Royal Opera House, London, 23.5.2016. (MB)

(c) Clive Barda
ENO’s Enjoyable Madama Butterfly Poses a Few Problems
United Kingdom Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus (chorus master: James Henshaw) of the English National Opera / Richard Armstrong (conductor), Coliseum, London, 16.5.2016. (MB)

(c) Tom Bowles