Concert Reviews – Seen and Heard International

Death of Classical: Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra’s resplendent debut in New York

27/07/2025 by Rick Perdian

United States Various: Franco Fagioli (countertenor), The Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra / Stefan Plewniak (conductor). Printemps at 1 Wall Street (21.7.2025) and L’Alliance New York (23.7.2025), New York. (RP)

Conductor Stefan Plewniak and The Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra at Printemps New York © Kevin Condon/Death of Classical

Fine revival of an important work by William Mathias at the 2025 Three Choirs Festival

27/07/2025 by John Quinn

United Kingdom 2025 Three Choirs Festival [1] – Smyth, Dvořák, Mathias: Eleanor Dennis (soprano), James Oxley (tenor), Malachy Frame (baritone), Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Hereford Cathedral Choristers, Philharmonia Orchestra / Geraint Bowen (conductor). Hereford Cathedral, 26.7.2025. (JQ)

Geraint Bowen conducts the Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, soprano Eleanor Dennis and baritone Malachy Frame © Dale Hodgetts

SCO’s energising Beethoven, fun Rameau but the Saint-Saëns and Capperauld stood out at the Proms

27/07/2025 by Colin Clarke

United Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [5] – Beethoven’s Fifth: Alexandre Kantorow (piano), Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor/drum). Royal Albert Hall, London, 25.7.2025. (CC)

Maxim Emelyanychev conducts pianist Alexandre Kantorow and the SCO © BBC/Mark Allan

Pianist Seong-Jin Cho soars with Ravel in an enthralling marathon in Aspen

27/07/202526/07/2025 by Harvey Steiman

United States Aspen Music Festival 2025 [7]: Harris Hall, Klein Music Tent, Aspen. (HS)

American Brass Quintet [l-r] John D. Rojak, Eric Reed, Hillary Simms, Stuart Stephenson and Chris Gekker © Tim Ornato

A fine and enjoyable Prom from Sakari Oramo and the BBC SO

26/07/2025 by Mark Berry

United Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [4] – Stravinsky, Mendelssohn, Davis, and R. Strauss: Augustin Hadelich (violin), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 24.7.2025. (MB)

Sakari Oromo conducts violinist Augustin Hadelich and the BBC SO in Mendelssohn © BBC/Mark Allan

From Bruch to Beethoven: Verão Clássico’s artists illuminate the art of chamber music

26/07/202525/07/2025 by Laurence Vittes

Portugal Verão Clássico Festival 2025 [1] – Various: Anna Samuil (soprano), Stephan Picard, Lena Neudauer (violins), Muriel Razavi (viola), Gary Hoffman (cello), Alexandra Scott (double bass), Milana Chernyavska, Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro (piano). Centro Cultural de Belém, Pequeno Auditório, Lisbon, 23.7.2025. (LV)

Anna Samuil singing Dvořák at the Verão Clássico © Andreia Carvalho

Revel in Ravel and Goosby’s excellence at the Proms whilst Charlotte Sohy’s music is blissful

25/07/202525/07/2025 by Colin Clarke

United Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [3] – French Night with the Orchestre National de France: Randall Goosby (violin), Orchestre National de France / Cristian Măcelaru (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 23.7.2025. (CC)

Cristian Măcelaru conducts the Orchestre National de France © Chris Christodoulou/BBC

Beauty and Beachy Head: new music inspired by the South Downs from the Orchestra of Sound and Light

28/07/202524/07/2025 by Chris Kettle

United Kingdom Various: Loré Lixenberg (voice), Helen Whitaker (flute), Alison Hughes (clarinet & bass clarinet), Rachel Fryer (keyboards), Lee Westwood (electric guitar), Joe Giddey (cello), Ed Hughes (director). Towner Gallery, Eastbourne, 13.7.2025. (CK)