Elgar’s The Apostles is a richly rewarding end to the 2023 Three Choirs Festival

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival 2023 [11] – Elgar: Philippa Boyle (soprano – Virgin Mary), Martha McLorinan (mezzo-soprano – Mary Magdalene), Michael Bell (tenor – St John), John Savournin (bass-baritone – Judas), James Geidt (baritone – St Peter), Dingle Yandell (bass-baritone – Jesus), Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra / Adrian Partington (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral 29.7.2023. (JQ)

Elgar’s The Apostles closes the 2023 Three Choirs Festival

Read more

A misguided repertoire choice for the debut of the Three Choirs Festival Voices

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival [10] – Vaughan Williams, Fitkin: James Hall (countertenor), Dominic Sedgwick (baritone), Samuel West (narrator), Worcester Cathedral Choristers, Three Choirs Festival Voices, Philharmonia Orchestra / Samuel Hudson (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral, 28.7.2023. (JQ)

Conductor Samuel Hudson with Samuel West (left) and James Hall (right) © Dale Hodgetts

Read more

A fine account of the St John Passion at the Three Choirs Festival

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival 2023 [8] – Bach: Soloists, Three Cathedral Choirs, Corelli Orchestra / Geraint Bowen (conductor).  Gloucester Cathedral, 27.7.2023. (JQ)

St John Passion at the Three Choirs Festival © Dale Hodgetts

Read more

Garanča, Zeppenfeld and Heras-Casado make Bayreuth’s new Parsifal memorable even in 2D

GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2023 [1] – Wagner, Parsifal: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayreuth Festival / Pablo Heras-Casado. Recorded (directed by Michael Beyer) at the Bayreuther Festspielhaus, Germany, 25.7.2023. (JPr)

Bayreuth Festival 2023 – standing: Georg Zeppenfeld (Gurnemanz) and Elīna Garanča (Kundry) © Enrico Nawrath

Read more

An expertly performed Choral Fantasia by the ORA Singers at the Three Choirs Festival

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival 2023 [7] – A Choral Fantasia: Oriel Singers, ORA Singers / Suzi Digby (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral, 26.7.2023. (JQ)

The combined choirs singing Spem in alium © Dale Hodgetts

Read more

Piano Pioneers: Clare Hammond at the Three Choirs Festival

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival [6] – Hélène de Montgeroult, Ravel, Beethoven, Coleridge-Taylor, Albéniz: Clare Hammond (piano).  Holy Trinity Church, Longlevens, Gloucester, 24.7.2023. (CS)

Clare Hammond © James O’Driscoll

Read more