United States Time:Spans 2024 – Takasugi: Roger Admiral (piano), Talea Ensemble / James Baker (conductor). DiMenna Center for Classical Music, New York, 18.8.2024. (DS)
In New York, a Takasugi piano concerto for the end of our times
Festivals
Cumbria Opera Group’s brand new work Kings, Witches, Lovers and Souls showcases the region’s mythic past
United Kingdom Jen Hartley, Kings, Witches, Lovers and Souls: Eleanor McIntosh (soprano), Anne Elizabeth Cooper (mezzo-soprano), Johnny Hill (baritone), Jonny Danciger (director), Cumbria Youth Chorus, Cumbria Opera Group / Joe Davies & Alastair Burton (co-musical directors), Penrith Playhouse, 31.8.2024. (SRT)
An important nineteenth-century voice given his Salzburg due by Kirill Petrenko and the Berlin Philharmonic
Austria Salzburg Festival 2024 [11] – Smetana: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Kirill Petrenko (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 26.8.2024. (MB)
A delightful, varied concert from Camerata Ireland and Barry Douglas
United Kingdom Mozart, Sibelius, Greg Caffrey, Mendelssohn: Aisling Agnew (flute), Camerata Ireland / Barry Douglas (conductor/piano). Clandeboye Estate, Northern Ireland, 23.8.2024. (RB)
An excellent cast brings Peter Sellars’s Salzburg production of The Gambler vividly to life
Austria Salzburg Festival 2024 [10] – Prokofiev, The Gambler: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Timur Zangiev (conductor). Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, 25.8.2024. (MB)
For all the power of Rihab Chaieb’s (anti-)hero, this was a mixed Glyndebourne Carmen at the Proms
United Kingdom PROM 52 – Bizet, Carmen from Glyndebourne: Soloists, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Anja Bihlmaier (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 29.8.2024. (CC)
A blazing Glagolitic Mass from Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic at the Proms
United Kingdom PROM 50 – Kaprálová, Dvořák, Janáček: Mao Fujita (piano), Corinne Winters (soprano), Bella Adamova (mezzo-soprano), David Butt Philip (tenor), Pavel Švingr (bass), Christian Schmitt (organ), Prague Philharmonic Choir (choirmaster Lukáš Vasilek), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Jakub Hrůša (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 28.8.2024. (CK)
The Czech Philharmonic Prom’s thought-provoking Dvořák and remarkable Suk
United Kingdom PROM 49 – Dvořák, Suk: Anastasia Kobekina (cello), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Jakub Hrůša (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 27.8.2024. (CC)
