Simon Thompson

The EIF’s Rising Stars of Voice sing at the Queen’s Hall

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2026 [4] – Rising Stars of Voice with Louise Alder: Louise Alder (soprano, mentor), James Baillieu (piano, mentor), Francesca Lauri (piano). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 18.8.2026. (SRT)

Soprano Louise Alder © Will Alder

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Man of the theatre Riccardo Minasi brings a touch of theatricality to SCO’s Mozart Requiem

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Haydn, Mozart: Louise Alder (soprano), Hanna Hipp (mezzo-soprano), Julien Henric (tenor), Daniel Okulitch (bass-baritone), Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus (director: Gregory Batsleer) / Riccardo Minasi (conductor). Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 30.4.2026. (SRT)

Riccardo Minasi © Nancy Horowitz

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Berlin Festtage’s new Verdi Un ballo fails to ignite. Blame the director (partly)

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GermanyGermany Berlin Festtage 2026 [3] – Verdi, Un ballo in maschera: Soloists, Staatsopernchor Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin / Enrique Mazzola (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 1.4.2026. (SRT)

Charles Castronovo (Riccardo) and Anna Netrebko (Amelia) © Stephan Rabold

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A Festtage Der Rosenkavalier in Berlin that left me in pieces

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GermanyGermany Berlin Festtage 2026 [1]: Richard Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier: Soloists, Children’s Choir of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (chorus director: Vinzenz Weissenburger), Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus director: Gerhard Polifka), Staatskapelle Berlin / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 31.3.2026. (SRT)

Staatsoper Unter den Linden’s Der Rosenkavalier (previous performance) © Ruth Walz

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