United Kingdom Cole Porter, Kiss Me, Kate: Cast, Chorus and Orchestra of Northern Ireland Opera / Conor Mitchell (conductor). Lyric Theatre, Belfast, 5.2.2020. (RB)
Northern Ireland Opera brings Kiss Me, Kate vibrantly to life
Robert Beattie
CONDUCTOR TOM HAMMOND IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BEATTIE
Tom Hammond talks to Robert Beattie
Tom Hammond is a London-based conductor, recording producer, and Festival Director. As well as being Music Director/Principal Conductor of the Finchley, Hertford and St Albans Symphony Orchestras, Tom also directs youth orchestras in Hatfield and Watford, and is a Guest Conductor for the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, Palestine, and in this country with the Orchestra of the Swan, which is based in Stratford-upon-Avon. Tom is a founding Artistic Director of the Hertfordshire Festival of Music, an annual summer celebration of classical music held in various venues in Hertfordshire which celebrates its fifth consecutive year in 2020.
A visually sumptuous and imaginative Akhnaten production from the Met
United States Philip Glass, Akhnaten: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Karen Kamensek (Conductor), Broadcast live to the Dundonald Omniplex Cinema, Belfast from the Metropolitan Opera, New York 23.11.2019. (RB)
in Akhnaten (c) Karen Almond/Met Opera
Irish National Opera’s sparkling new production of La Cenerentola
Ireland Rossini, La Cenerentola: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Irish National Opera / Fergus Sheil (conductor). Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, 16.11.2019. (RB)
Conor Mitchell’s powerful new music drama, packing a political punch, is staged in Belfast
United Kingdom Conor Mitchell, Abomination: A DUP Opera: The Belfast Ensemble / Tom Brady (conductor). Lyric Theatre, Belfast, 8.11.2019. (RB)
A novel and imaginative double bill at Wexford Festival Opera
Ireland Wexford Festival Opera 2019 [3] – Andrew Synnott, Rossini: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Michele Spotti (conductor), O’Reilly Theatre, National Opera House, Wexford, 27.10. 2019. (RB)
Balance issues and uneven singing compromise a handsome Vivaldi production in Wexford
Ireland Wexford Festival Opera 2019 [2] – Vivaldi, Dorilla in Tempe: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Andrea Marchiol (conductor), O’Reilly Theatre, National Opera House, Wexford, 26.10.2019. (RB)
An outstanding production of Massenet’s Don Quichotte by Wexford Festival Opera
Ireland Wexford Festival Opera 2019 [1] – Massenet, Don Quichotte: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Timothy Myers (conductor), Wexford Opera House, Wexford Opera Festival, Wexford, 25.10.2019. (RB)
