United Kingdom Schubert, Grieg, Schumann: Leon McCawley (piano). Broadcast live (19.3.2021) from the Wigmore Hall, London, and available on their YouTube Channel (click here). (RB)
Superb pianism from Leon McCawley at Wigmore Hall
Robert Beattie
Conor Mitchell’s new opera for children is not without a dark side
Ireland Conor Mitchell’s The Musician: A Horror Opera for Children: Soloists, The Belfast Ensemble / Tom Brady (Conductor), Livestreamed from Belfast’s Lyric Theatre as part of 2021 Belfast Children’s Festival, 12.3.2021. (RB)
Social distancing is no bar to an excellent La bohème from Irish National Opera
Ireland Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Irish National Opera / Sergio Alapont (conductor). Livestreamed from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, 13.3.2021. (RB)
Pianist and author Jack Kohl discusses his new book of essays with Robert Beattie
Robert Beattie in conversation with pianist and author Jack Kohl Jack Kohl is a pianist and writer from the north shore of Long Island, New York. In 2019 he published a series of essays, Bone over Ivory: Essays from a Standing Pianist. In 2021 he follows this up with a new series of essays, From … Read more
Irish National Opera present twenty new compact operas inventively addressing themes of today
Ireland 20 Shots of Opera: Cast of Irish National Opera, RTÉ Concert Orchestra / Fergus Sheil and Elaine Kelly (conductors), filmed in Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and broadcast on Irish National Opera Website 17.12.2020. (RB)
Claudia Boyle stars as Wexford Festival Opera 2020 concludes
Ireland Balfe, Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini, Gounod, Verdi: Claudia Boyle (soprano), Pietro Adaíni (tenor), Wexford Festival Orchestra / Francesco Cilluffo (conductor). From the National Opera House, Wexford, and broadcast in association with RTÉ Culture and RTÉ Player, 16.10.2020. (RB)
Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle opens the 2020 Wexford Festival Opera
Ireland 2020 Wexford Festival Opera – Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle: Claudia Boyle (soprano), Tara Erraught (mezzo-soprano), Pietro Adaini (tenor), John Molloy (bass), The Wexford Factory Ensemble, Finghin Collins and Carmen Santoro (pianos), Andrew Synnott (harmonium) / Kenneth Montgomery (conductor). National Opera House, Wexford, Broadcast in Association with RTE Culture and RTE Player, 11.10.2020. (RB)
PIANIST ELEONOR BINDMAN IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BEATTIE
Pianist Eleonor Bindman talks to Robert Beattie
Eleonor Bindman is a New York based pianist and chamber musician who has received extensive praise for her piano transcriptions. The New York Times commented on her ‘lively, clear textured and urbane’ performances and ‘impressive clarity of purpose and a full grasp of the music’s spirit’. Eleonor has appeared at Carnegie Hall, The 92 Street Y, Merkin Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and on solo concerto engagements with the National Music Week Orchestra, the Staten Island Symphony, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the New York Youth Symphony, and The Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra of Moscow, Russia. She is a prize winner of the New Orleans, Busoni and Jose Iturbi international piano competitions and is a recipient of a National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts award.