Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson’s new Bayreuth Tristan lacks coherence, dramatic cogency and better singing

GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2024 [1] – Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Recorded live (directed by Michael Beyer) at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, 25.7.2024. (JPr)

Bayreuther Festspiele 2024 – Tristan und Isolde Act III © Enrico Nawrath

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Journeys of heart and heritage: the tenth Verão Clássico Festival kicks off

PortugalPortugal Verão Clássico Festival 2024 [1] – MasterFest Concert I: Stephan Picard, Eszter Haffner (violins); Miguel da Silva, Eszter Haffner (violas); Patrick Demenga (cello); Janne Saksala (double bass); Geir Draugsvoll (accordion); Eldar Nebolsin, Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro (piano). Museu Nacional dos Coches, Lisbon, 23.7.2024. (LV) [This performance was reviewed from a video provided by Verão Clássico]

Eldar Nebolsin plays Schumann at the Verão Clássico Festival © Andreia Carvalho

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Bruce Liu in a comprehensive recital at the Klavier-Festival Ruhr

GermanyGermany Various: Bruce Liu (piano). Performance of 28.4.2024 broadcast as live (directed by Bernhard Fleischer) from Klavier-Festival Ruhr, Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr, Bochum on Stage+, 6.7.2024. (ES-S)

Bruce Liu © Christoph Koestlin

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Nicoletta Manni and Reece Clarke excel in MacMillan’s L’histoire de Manon at Milan’s La Scala

ItalyItaly Kenneth MacMillan’s L’histoire de Manon: Dancers and Orchestra of La Scala Theatre Ballet / Paul Connelly (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Stefania Grimaldi) from La Scala, Milan, 8.7.2024. (JPr)

Nicoletta Manni (Manon) and Reece Clarke (Des Grieux)

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Livermore’s new Turandot is in an opium haze at Milan’s La Scala as Netrebko and Eyvazov are victorious

ItalyItaly Puccini, Turandot: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Michele Gamba (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Anna Gettel) from La Scala, Milan, 4.7.2024. (JPr)

Davide Livermore’s production of Turandot Act I © Teatro alla Scala / Brescia e Amisano

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Vienna State Opera’s Nureyev Gala rekindles memories of the legendary dancer and choreographer

AustriaAustria Vienna State Opera’s Nureyev Gala: Dancers of Vienna State Ballet and guests, Orchestra of Vienna State Opera / Wolfgang Heinz (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Balázs Delbó) from the Vienna State Opera, 29.6.2024. (JPr)

Harald Lander’s Études (Alexey Popov, Kiyoka Hashimoto and Davide Dato) © Ashley Taylor/Vienna State Ballet

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Enkhbat and Radvanovsky transcend criticism in Pappano’s Covent Garden ‘farewell’ Andrea Chénier

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Giordano, Andrea Chénier: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House London / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Performance of 5.6.2024 broadcast as live (directed by Peter Jones) from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, to the Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 11.6.2024. (JPr)

Carlo Gérard (Amartuvshin Enkhbat) and Andrea Chénier (Jonas Kaufmann) © Marc Brenner

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Well, what did it mean to you? Homoki’s conclusion to his Zurich Ring leaves unanswered questions

SwitzerlandSwitzerland Wagner, Götterdämmerung: Soloists, Extras at the Zurich Opera House, Chorus of Zurich Opera, Philharmonia Zürich / Gianandrea Noseda (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Michael Beyer) from Zurich Opera House, 26.5.2024. (JPr)

The Norns: (l-r) Freya Apffelstaedt, Lena Sutor-Wernich and Giselle Allen © Monika Ritterhaus

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