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)
Mark Berry
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)
Despite Fine Singing Christof Loy’s Tristan Seems Misconceived
United Kingdom Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 5.12.2014 (MB)
Finesse and Magic from Juraj Valčuha and the Philharmonia
United Kingdom Strauss, Mozart, and Humperdinck: Jonathan Biss (piano), Olena Tokar (soprano), Kai Rüütel (mezzo-soprano), Philharmonia Orchestra, Juraj Valčuha (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 4.12.2014 (MB)