Italy Donizetti, Rosmonda d’Inghilterra: Donizetti Opera Orchestra and Chorus / Sebastiano Rolli (conductor), Teatro Donizetti, Bergamo, 25.11.2016. (JMI)
A Brilliant Performance of Donizetti’s Rosmonda d’Inghilterra at the Bergamo Festival
Festivals
A Compelling Production of Barber’s Seldom-Heard Vanessa
Ireland Barber, Vanessa: Wexford Festival Orchestra / Timothy Myers (conductor), O’Reilly Theatre, National Opera House, Wexford, 2.11.2016. (JMI)
Wexford Festival Continues to Attract Opera Lovers with Its Programme of Rarities
Ireland David, Herculanum: Wexford Opera Festival Orchestra and Chorus / Jean-Luc Tingaud (conductor), O’Reilly Theatre, Wexford, 1.11.2016. (JMI)
Unanimity of Purpose in Grand Finale of Oxford’s Schumann Project
United Kingdom Oxford Lieder Festival – The Schumann Project: Robert Schumann: Ailish Tynan (soprano), Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano), James Gilchrist (tenor), Jacques Imbrailo (baritone), Sholto Kynoch and Bengt Forsberg (piano), St John the Evangelist Church, Oxford 29.10.2016. (CR)
Von Otter Celebrates Shakespeare in Song at Oxford Liederfest
United Kingdom Oxford Lieder Festival – Shakespeare in Song: Purcell, Schubert, Berlioz, Debussy, Sibelius, Korngold, Britten, Tippett, Porter, Wainwright: Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano), Julius Drake (piano), Simon Robson (reader), Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford 24.10.2016. (CR)
Superlative Recital from Prégardien and Schnackertz at Oxford Liederfest
United Kingdom Oxford Lieder Festival – The Schumann Project – Robert Schumann, Bruch, Liszt: Christoph Prégardien (tenor), Christoph Schnackertz (piano), St John the Evangelist Church, Oxford 22.10.2016. (CR)
Second Day of 11th Malcolm Arnold Festival Features Forgotten Documentaries
Second Day of 11th Malcolm Arnold Festival
11th Malcolm Arnold Festival Displays Composer’s Musical Breadth
11th Malcolm Arnold Festival
Introduction
2016 sees the tenth year of the Festival since Arnold’s death and the 95th since his birth. Director Paul Harris, typically charming and resolute, says of this year’s theme: “We’ve called it ‘The Voice of the People’ … [which] sums up Sir Malcolm’s intentions as a composer. He was always determined to write music that could be immediately appreciated and although he embraced many 20th century “isms”, his music remains utterly accessible.”
Northampton’s Malcolm Arnold Festival still has a strong and even hectic pulse; this after ten years, with concerts, recitals, talks and illustrated lectures piling in one after another. It comes to about a dozen events over two days. New and usually good experiences and plenty to learn.