Germany Puccini, La fanciulla del West: Soloists, Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper, Philharmonishces Staatsorchester Hamburg / Antonino Fogliani (conductor). Staatsoper Hamburg, 4.4.2025. (SRT)
Simon Thompson
Jonathan Dove’s new opera Uprising may prove a transformative experience for some
United Kingdom Jonathan Dove, Uprising: Soloists, RSNO Youth Chorus, RSNO Chorus Academy, RSNO Changed Voices, Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Ellie Slorach (conductor). Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 28.3.2025. (SRT)
Deutsche Oper Berlin’s musical performance of Die Frau so strong it almost redeemed Kratzer’s visuals
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)
Emelyanychev and the SCO summon up the dynamism and energy to hold a programme of extremes together
United Kingdom MacMillan, Widmann, Adams: Sergei Nakariakov (trumpet), Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor). Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 30.1.2025. (SRT)
Even though the festive season is past, Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker still tastes as sweet
United Kingdom Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Dancers of Scottish Ballet, Scottish Ballet Orchestra / Daniel Parkinson (conductor). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 8.1.2025. (SRT)
An evening of music by Muffat at the Lammermuir Festival was totally persuasive and really rather lovely
United Kingdom Lammermuir Festival 2024 – Muffat: Concerto Copenhagen / Lars Ulrik Mortensen (director/continuo). St Mary’s Church, Haddington, 13.9.2024. (SRT)
Cumbria Opera Group’s brand new work Kings, Witches, Lovers and Souls showcases the region’s mythic past
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)
Rossini’s Petite Messe solennelle in Edinburgh was given a good, if anonymous, performance
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)
