United Kingdom Park Lane Young Artists Spring Series: Aike String Quartet (Soh-Yon Kim, Emily Harper (violins), Benjamin Harrison (viola), Karen French (cello)), The Hermes Experiment (Héloïse Werner (soprano), Oliver Pashley (clarinet), Anne Denholm (harp), Marianne Schofield (double bass)), Nardus Williams (soprano), Peter Foggitt (piano), Eblana String Trio (Jonathan Martindale (violin), Lucy Nolan (viola), Peggy Nolan (cello)). St John’s, Smith Square, London, 19.4.2016 and 21.4.2016. (MB)
Mark Berry
Rattle’s Championing of Haydn in Evidence Again
United Kingdom Haydn: Monika Eder (soprano), Andrew Staples (tenor), Florian Boesch (baritone), London Symphony Chorus (chorus master: Simon Halsey), London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 17.4.2016. (MB)
Despite Good Singing Completed Mozart Opera Buffa Fails to Enthral
United Kingdom Mozart and Stephen Oliver, L’Oca del Cairo: Soloists, Oriana Choir, London Mozart Players, David Parry (conductor). St John’s, Smith Square, London, 14.3.2016. (MB)
Delightful Mozart and Haydn, Courtesy of Hilary Davan Wetton
United Kingdom Mozart and Haydn: Leon McCawley (piano), Grace Davidson (soprano), Anna Harvey (mezzo-soprano), Mark Wilde (tenor), Ashley Riches (bass-baritone), City of London Choir, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Hilary Davan Wetton (conductor). Cadogan Hall, London, 12.4.2016. (MB)
Götz Friedrich’s Rosenkavalier Comes Over as Fresh as Ever
Germany Deutsche Oper Strauss-Wochen (5) – Der Rosenkavalier: Soloists, Children’s Choir (choirmaster: Christian Lindhorst), Chorus (chorus master: Thomas Richter), Movement Choir, Extras, and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Ulf Schirmer (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 10.4.2016. (MB)

Harms Does No Especial Harm to Die Liebe der Danae Which Glowed

Germany Strauss Wochen (4) – Die Liebe der Danae: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin / Sebastian Weigle (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin. 9.4.2016. (MB)
Litton Lavishes Loving Care on Orchestration of Die ägyptische Helena
Germany Strauss-Wochen (3) – Die ägyptische Helena: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: William Spaulding) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Andrew Litton (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 8.4.2016. (MB)
Fine Performance of Elektra Despite a Lacklustre Production
Germany Strauss-Wochen (2), Elektra: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: William Spaulding) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Donald Runnicles (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 7.4.2016. (MB)