United Kingdom R. Schumann, Nicodé, Schubert, Beethoven: Simon Callaghan (piano), Martin Roscoe (piano), Lot Music 2024 at Fair Oak Farm, Mayfield, East Sussex, 16 & 20.7.2024. (RB)
Excellent recitals from Simon Callaghan and Martin Roscoe in Sussex
Robert Beattie
Artistic Director Cameron Menzies and baritone Yuriy Yurchuk talk about Northern Ireland Opera
Robert Beattie in conversation with Cameron Menzies, Artistic Director of Northern Ireland Opera, and baritone Yuriy Yurchuk
I have been reviewing Northern Ireland Opera’s productions for some years (links to some of my reviews can be found here). I have been struck both by the very high quality and infinite variety of their productions. They have produced a string of more conventional operatic productions, including La bohème, La traviata and Tosca which have received glowing reviews from the Press. Opera Magazine commented: ‘Northern Ireland Opera’s La traviata suggests that the artistic director Cameron Menzies has at long last realised the region’s ambition to have a grand opera company truly deserving of the name.’
Soprano Wendy Ferguson and pianist Ruth McGinley breathe fresh life into some iconic songs in Belfast
United Kingdom Gershwin, Porter and Sondheim, ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’: Wendy Ferguson (soprano), Ruth McGinley (piano), Connor Quinn (baritone), John Gillen (drumkit), Peter Doherty (bass), Cameron Menzies (director), Nuala Campbell (hair and make up designer). MAC Theatre, Belfast, 13.4.2024. (RB)
Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble’s highly creative and inventive way to celebrate International Women’s Day
United Kingdom Plugged in: International Women’s Day Concert: Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble / Sinead Hayes (conductor). Sonic Lab, Queen’s University Belfast, 8.3.2024. (RB)
A compelling performance of The Juniper Tree by Northern Ireland Opera
United Kingdom Philip Glass and Robert Moran’s The Juniper Tree: Soloists, Chorus and Instrumentalists, Northern Ireland Opera / Frasier Hickland (conductor). Grand Opera House Studio, Belfast, 24.2.2024. (RB)
The Met’s cast fires on all cylinders in Carrie Cracknell’s first-rate truck stop Carmen
United States Bizet, Carmen: Soloists Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Daniele Rustioni (conductor). Transmitted Live in HD (directed by Gary Halvorson) from New York to the Avenue Cinema, Belfast. 27.1.2024. (RB)
Belfast Philharmonic Choir’s accomplished performance of Stanford’s rarely performed Requiem
United Kingdom Stanford, Requiem, Op.63: Mary McCabe (soprano), Cicely Hé (mezzo-soprano), Aaron O’Hare (tenor), Brendan Collins (baritone), Belfast Philharmonic Choir, Ulster Orchestra / James Grossmith (conductor), Ulster Hall, Belfast, 5.11.2023. (RB)
An outstanding performance of Marco Tutino’s La Ciociara at Wexford
Ireland Wexford Festival Opera 2023 [3] – Marco Tutino, La Ciociara: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Opera Festival / Francesco Cilluffo (conductor), O’Reilly Theatre, National Opera House, Wexford 2.11.2023. (RB)
