Simon Thompson – Seen and Heard International

Deutsche Oper Berlin’s musical performance of Die Frau so strong it almost redeemed Kratzer’s visuals

10/02/2025 by Simon Thompson

Germany R. Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Chorus and Orchestra of Deutsche Oper Berlin / Sir Donald Runnicles (conductor). Deutsche Oper Berlin, 8.2.2025. (SRT)

Marina Prudenskaya (Nurse) and Daniela Köhler (Empress) © Matthias Baus

Emelyanychev and the SCO summon up the dynamism and energy to hold a programme of extremes together

02/02/202501/02/2025 by Simon Thompson

United Kingdom MacMillan, Widmann, Adams: Sergei Nakariakov (trumpet), Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 30.1.2025. (SRT)

Sergei Nakariakov (trumpet) © Thierry Cohen

Even though the festive season is past, Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker still tastes as sweet

09/01/2025 by Simon Thompson

United Kingdom Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Dancers of Scottish Ballet, Scottish Ballet Orchestra / Daniel Parkinson (conductor). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 8.1.2025. (SRT)

Scottish Opera’s *The Nutcracker* (Spanish Dance) © Andy Ross

An evening of music by Muffat at the Lammermuir Festival was totally persuasive and really rather lovely

14/09/2024 by Simon Thompson

United Kingdom Lammermuir Festival 2024 – Muffat: Concerto Copenhagen / Lars Ulrik Mortensen (director/continuo). St Mary’s Church, Haddington, 13.9.2024. (SRT)

Concerto Copenhagen in St Mary’s Church © Stuart Armitt

Cumbria Opera Group’s brand new work Kings, Witches, Lovers and Souls showcases the region’s mythic past

01/09/2024 by Simon Thompson

United Kingdom Jen Hartley, Kings, Witches, Lovers and Souls: Eleanor McIntosh (soprano), Anne Elizabeth Cooper (mezzo-soprano), Johnny Hill (baritone), Jonny Danciger (director), Cumbria Youth Chorus, Cumbria Opera Group / Joe Davies & Alastair Burton (co-musical directors), Penrith Playhouse, 31.8.2024. (SRT)

Eleanor McIntosh (soprano), Anne Elizabeth Cooper (mezzo-soprano), Johnny Hill (baritone) and members of Cumbria Opera Group © Christopher Tribble

Rossini’s Petite Messe solennelle in Edinburgh was given a good, if anonymous, performance

25/08/2024 by Simon Thompson

United Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2024 [15] – Rossini’s Petite Messe solennelle: Catriona Hewitson, Holly Teague, Holly Brown (sopranos), Georgia Mae Ellis, Kelsey Lauritano, Hannah Bennett (altos), Liam McNally, Euan McDonald, Ferdinand Keller (tenors), Smelo Mahlangu, Jonathan Eyers, George Robarts (basses), James Baillieu and Mark Austin (pianos), Sofia Ros González (accordion). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 24.8.2024. (SRT)

Irish Baroque Orchestra’s delightful potpourri and Midori’s Romantic recital in Edinburgh

23/08/2024 by Simon Thompson

United Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2024 [13]: Irish Baroque Orchestra, Peter Whelan (director & harpsichord, 22.8); Midori (violin), Özgür Aydin (piano, 23.8). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 22 & 23.8.2024. (SRT)

Typically interesting programmes in Edinburgh from the Kleio Quartet and Pierre-Laurent Aimard

21/08/2024 by Simon Thompson

United Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2024 [12]: Kleio Quartet (20.8), Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano, 21.8). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 20 & 21.8.2024. (SRT)

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