United Kingdom Beethoven, Bruckner: Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, Herbert Blomstedt (conductor), Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 26.3.2013 (JQ)
Stan
Intriguing Double Bill from Music Theatre Wales
United Kingdom Mendonça, Maxwell Davies: Helen-Jane Howells (soprano), Nia Roberts (actress), Kelvin Thomas (King), Music Theatre Wales, Michael Raffery (conductor), Doris Soutzker Hall, Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, 16.3.2013 (PCG)
Masterful “Rigoletto” Boasts Exceptional Cast
United States Verdi, Rigoletto: Soloists, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Evan Rogister (conductor), Civic Opera House, Chicago. 23.3.2013 (JLZ)
Midori Dazzles Technically, Yet Something Missing
United States J.S. Bach: Midori (violin), presented by San Francisco Performances, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco. 23-24.3.2013 (HS)
Wearing White (or Pondering It) for a Surround-Sound Extravaganza
United States Stockhausen, OKTOPHONIE: Rirkrit Tiravanija (visual artist), Kathinka Pasveer (sound projectionist), Igor Kavulek (sound designer), Brian Scott (lighting designer), Park Avenue Armory, New York City. 24.3.2013 (BH)
Powerful Boccanegra from ETO Despite Cast Changes
United Kingdom Verdi, Simon Boccanegra: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English Touring Opera / Michael Rosewall (conductor), Northcott Theatre, Exeter, 20.3.2013. (AB)
Variable Schubert and Brahms from the LSO – and a Totally Forgettable Première
United Kingdom Eloise Nancy Gynn, Schubert, and Brahms: Nikolaj Znaider (violin), London Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Collon, Manfred Honeck (conductors). Barbican Hall, London, 24.4.2013 (MB)