United Kingdom Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Dancers and Orchestra of Los Angeles Ballet / Jeffery Meyer (conductor). Dolby Theater, Los Angeles, 22.12.2024. (JRo)
A sunny West Coast Christmas in Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Pfitzner’s Palestrina is conducted by Thielemann, the opera’s tireless advocate, and triumphs in Vienna
Austria Hans Pfitzner’s Palestrina: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Vienna State Opera / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Livestreamed (directed by Ella Gallieni) from the Vienna State Opera, 12.12.2024. (JPr)
This glorious Tosca in Ostrava is blessed by terrific singing from Šimková, Berger and Čapkovič
Czech Republic Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Marek Šedivý (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 7.12.2024. (GT)
A star is born: Carolina López Moreno brings Puccini’s Magda vividly to life in LSO’s La rondine
United Kingdom Puccini, La rondine (concert performance): Soloists, London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 12.12.2024. (JPr)
ENB bring a colourful, modern twist to Nutcracker, though it is a rather flat experience
United Kingdom English National Ballet’s Nutcracker: English National Ballet, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Maria Seletskaja (conductor), London Coliseum, 12.12.2024. (JO’D)
Katharina Konradi’s Oscar steals the show in Zurich’s Un ballo in maschera
Switzerland Verdi, Un ballo in maschera: Philharmonia Zurich / Gianandrea Noseda (conductor). Zurich Opera, 8.12.2024. (MF)
The Brandenburgers in Bohemia bring the Smetana anniversary year in Ostrava to a triumphant finale
Czech Republic Smetana, The Brandenburgers in Bohemia: Soloists, Chorus, Ballet and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Jakub Klecker (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 5.12.2024. (GT)
Ashton’s Cinderella for The Royal Ballet focusses on steps but ignores the story
United Kingdom Prokofiev, Cinderella: Dancers of The Royal Ballet, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Jonathan Lo (conductor). Broadcast live from the Royal Ballet & Opera, Covent Garden, London, to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 10.12.2024. (JPr)
