Festival 2023

A magnificent opening to Musikfest Berlin by Iván Fischer and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

by

GermanyGermany Musikfest Berlin 2023 [1] – Widmann and Mahler: Michael Nagy (baritone), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 26.8.2023. (MB)

Iván Fischer conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra © Fabian Schellhorn/Berliner Festspiele

Read more

Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra were on scintillating form at the BBC Proms

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Prom 55 – Carlos Simon, Stravinsky, Gershwin, Ravel: Jean‐Yves Thibaudet (piano), Boston Symphony Orchestra / Andris Nelsons (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 26.8.2023. (JQ)

Yves Thibaudet plays Gershwin at the BBC Proms 2023 © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

Read more

Fine performances in Salzburg fail to redeem Martinů’s flawed The Greek Passion

by

AustriaAustria Salzburg Festival 2023 [9] – Martinů, The Greek Passion: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus, Salzburg Festival and Theatre Children’s Choir, Angelika Prokopp Summer Academy of the Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Maxime Pascal (conductor). Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, 22.8.2023. (MB)

Charles Workman (Yannakos) and Sara Jakubiak (Katerina) © SF/Monika Rittershaus

Read more

Handel’s Samson at the Proms attained a level of musical excellence available to very few performances

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Prom 50 – Handel, Samson, HWV 57 (1741-2, heard in the revised 1743 version): Allan Clayton (Samson), Jacquelyn Stucker (Dalila), Joélle Harvey (Israelite Woman), Jess Dandy (Micah), Brindley Sherratt (Harapha), Jonathan Lemalu (Manoa), Will Pate (Messenger), Philharmonia Chorus / Laurence Cummings (harpsichord / director). Royal Albert Hall, London, 23.8.2023. (CC)

Alan Clayton sing as Handel’s Samson at the BBC Proms © BBC/Sisi Burn

Read more