France Stravinsky, The Rake’s Progress: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris / Susanna Mälkki (conductor). Palais Garnier, Paris, 30.11.2024. (MB)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
The perfect show for Christmas: ENO’s The Pirates of Penzance at the London Coliseum
United Kingdom Gilbert & Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Natalie Murray Beale (conductor). London Coliseum, 2.12.2024. (JR)
A radiant Gabrielle Reyes sings her first Mimì in the Met’s La bohème
United States Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Metropolitan Opera / Kensho Watanabe (conductor). Metropolitan Opera, New York, 30.11.2024. (RP)
Die Frau ohne Schatten returns to the Met with incomparable brilliance
United States R. Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Metropolitan Opera, New York, 29.11.2024. (RP)
Claus Guth’s Vienna Turandot lacks epic grandeur but is redeemed by some fine singing
Austria Puccini, Turandot: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Vienna State Opera / Marco Armiliato (conductor). Filmed at the Vienna State Opera (directed by Tiziano Mancini) on 16.12.2023 and currently available on medici.tv. (JPr)
Festival Janáček Brno 2024 closes with a terrific staging of The Cunning Little Vixen
Czech Republic Festival Janáček Brno 2024 [4] – Janáček, The Cunning Little Vixen: Soloists, Brno Children’s Chorus, Chorus and Orchestra of Janáček Opera / Marko Ivanović (conductor). Janáček Theatre, Brno, 24.11.2024. (GT)
Memorable staging of Dvořák’s Rusalka from the Festival Janáček Brno
Czech Republic Festival Janáček Brno 2024 [3] – Dvořák, Rusalka: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Janáček Opera / Marko Ivanović (conductor), Janáček Theatre, Brno, 23.11.2024. (GT)
Czech avant-garde opera, The Other City, offers a modern-day parable at Brno’s Janáček Festival
Czech Republic Festival Janáček Brno 2024 [2] – Ondřej Kyas, The Other City: Soloists, Ensemble Opera Diversa / Gabriela Tardonová (conductor), Theatre on Orli Street, Brno, 22.11.2024. (GT)