Sweden W.A. Mozart, The Magic Flute: Henrik Schaefer (conductor), Gothenburg Opera 12.5.2012 (NS)
Stan
Chipping Campden Spans Four Centuries of Music
United Kingdom Mendelssohn, Kurtág, Schubert: Elias Quartet with Amy Norrington, St James’ Church, Chipping Campden, 11.5.2012
Purcell: Mhairi Lawson (soprano), Academy of Ancient Music / William Carter (conductor), St James’ Church, Chipping Campden, 14.5.2012
Seattle Madama Butterfly Shows Hand of Genius
United States Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Seattle Opera, soloists, Julian Kovatchev (conductor), McCaw Hall, Seattle, 5 & 11/5/2012 (BJ)
The Belcea Quartet Plays Beethoven with Mixed Results
United Kingdom Beethoven: Belcea Quartet (Corina Belcea, Axel Schacher (violins), Krzysztof Chorzelski (viola), Antoine Lederlin (cello)). Wigmore Hall, London, 14.5.2012 (MB)
Freddy Kempf’s Intelligent and Integrated View of Beethoven
United Kingdom Beethoven: Freddy Kempf (piano/conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, 11.5.12 (GPu)
A Jubilant Celebration of George Benjamin
United Kingdom George Benjamin and Ligeti:Samuel Coles (flute), Gordon Hunt (oboe), Kent County Junior Choir, Kent Girls Choir, Musicians from St Elphege’s RC Junior School, Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School, Centre for Young Musicians, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, Bromley Youth Music Trust, and Chestnut Grove School, Whitstable Recorder Ensemble, Kent Youth Recorders, Philharmonia Orchestra, George Benjamin (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 13.5.2012 (MB)
Outstanding Bartok Performances from Peter Eotvos and LSO
United Kingdom Bartok, Szymanowski: Nikolai Znaider (violin), Steve Davislim (tenor), London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, Peter Eotvos (conductor), Barbican Hall, London 8.5.2012 (GD).
Mariss Jansons Conducts Richard Strauss With Mixed Success
United Kingdom R. Strauss: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam/Mariss Jansons. Barbican Hall, London 12.5.2012 (CC)