United Kingdom English National Ballet’s The Forsythe Programme: Dancers of English National Ballet. Sadler’s Wells, London, 10.4.2025. (JO’D)
English National Ballet present work by choreographer William Forsythe from three stages of his career
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Gassmann’s L’opera seria at La Scala is tremendous fun and a witty comedy of manners
Italy Florian Leopold Gassmann’s L’opera seria: Soloists, Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Les Talens Lyriques / Christophe Rousset (conductor). Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 3.4.2025. (CR)
Sonya Yoncheva as Iolanta headlines an exceptional cast in Vienna’s intriguing new production
Austria Tchaikovsky, Iolanta: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera / Tugan Sokhiev (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Ella Galliani) from Vienna State Opera, 6.4.2025. (JPr)
Angels and insects: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Los Angeles
United States Various: Dancers of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, 5.4.2025. (JRo)
Good singing overshadowed by the production in Hannover’s Tosca
Germany Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, Chorus, Extra Chorus, Children’s Chorus and Extras of Staatsoper Hannover. Niedersächsisches Staatsorchester Hannover / James Hendry (conductor). Staatsoper Hannover, 30.3.2025. (DM-D)
Hamburg State Opera’s Falstaff revival in its ‘Italian Opera Weeks’ is the ‘Best of British’
Germany Verdi, Falstaff: Soloists, Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper, Philharmonishces Staatsorchester Hamburg / Finnegan Downie Dear (conductor). Staatsoper Hamburg, 6.4.2025. (SRT)
Hamburg State Opera’s Il trovatore revival with a disappointing cast and contentious production
Germany Verdi, Il trovatore: Soloists, Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper, Philharmonishces Staatsorchester Hamburg / Paolo Arrivabeni (conductor). Staatsoper Hamburg, 5.4.2025. (SRT)
Hamburg State Opera shows how the uniqueness of La fanciulla in Puccini’s output makes it treasurable
Germany Puccini, La fanciulla del West: Soloists, Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper, Philharmonishces Staatsorchester Hamburg / Antonino Fogliani (conductor). Staatsoper Hamburg, 4.4.2025. (SRT)