Germany Wagner, Siegfried: Soloists, Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper / Nicholas Carter (conductor). Deutsche Oper Berlin, 18.3.2024. (MB)
Stefan Herheim’s Siegfried at Berlin’s Deutsche Oper Berlin is fine, despite a problematic third act
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An eye-popping Turandot at the LA Opera
United States Puccini, Turandot: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of LA Opera / James Conlon (conductor). Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, 18.5.2024. (JRo)
The San Diego Symphony invests $210 Million to improve the concert experience
Jeers to Cheers in San Diego
When my wife and I moved to San Diego from Michigan more than 25 years ago, we were disappointed in the city’s symphony orchestra and its performance venues. We had been spoiled by conductor Neeme Järvi and his admired and often recorded Detroit Symphony. Had I reacted like a sports fan, I would have jeered the first time I heard the San Diego Symphony. Instead, I cringed in discomfort at botched notes, ragged entries and poor acoustics at both indoor and outdoor concerts.
The world premiere of McNeff’s song cycle during a Little Night Music in Cardiff
United Kingdom McNeff, Fauré, Schoenberg: Gavan Ring (tenor), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Jac van Steen (conductor). Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, 16.5.2024. (PCG)
Irish National Opera triumphs again with Vivaldi’s L’Olimpiade in London
United Kingdom Vivaldi, L’Olimpiade RV 725: Soloists. Orchestra of Irish National Opera / Peter Whelan (director / harpsichord). Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 13.5.2024. (CC)
Delightful excellence from members of the Berlin Philharmonic Karajan- Akademie
Germany Mendelssohn, Widmann: Karajan-Akademie / Kirill Petrenko (conductor). Kammermusiksaal, Berlin, 17.5.2024. (MB)
Gregory Kunde is a confident Otello in a high quality Dresden revival of Verdi’s opera
Germany Verdi, Otello: Soloists, Semperoper Childrens Choir, Sächsische Staatsopernchor, Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden / John Fiore (conductor). Semperoper Dresden, 17.5.2024. (MC)
From Paris to Rome with the Sebastians in ‘The 24 Violins Cross the Alps’
United States Various – ‘The 24 Violins Cross the Alps’: Sebastians. Brick Presbyterian Church, New York, 11.5.2024. (RP)
