Spain Bellini, La sonnambula: Soloists, Liceu Chorus (conductor: Pablo Assante) and Orchestra / Lorenzo Passerini (conductor). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 5.5.2025. (JMI)
Nadine Sierra is superb in Bellini’s La sonnambula at the Liceu
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
A Vienna Lohengrin that demanded to be heard and was also worth seeing
Austria Wagner, Lohengrin: Soloists, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Extra Chorus, and Choir Academy, Stage Orchestra, Vienna State Opera Orchestra / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Vienna State Opera, Vienna, 1.5.2025 (MB)
Scottish Opera’s Hollywood version of The Merry Widow is an entertaining and vibrant show
United Kingdom Lehár, The Merry Widow: Soloists, The Chorus of The Merry Widow and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Stuart Stratford (conductor). Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 4.5.2025. (GT)
Eye-catching Tristan und Isolde heads for space at the Staatstheater Cottbus
Germany Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Chorus and Extras of Philharmonic Orchestra of Staatstheater Cottbus / Alexander Merzyn (conductor). Staatstheater Cottbus, 4.5.2025. (DM-D)
An enjoyable evening of Ravel and Puccini in Valencia
Spain Ravel, Puccini: Soloists, Orchestra Comunitat Valenciana / Michele Spotti (conductor). Palau de Les Arts, Valencia, 4.5.2025. (JMI)
Janáček’s astonishing Mr Brouček gets a wonderful performance from Rattle, soloists, Tenebrae and LSO
United Kingdom Janáček, The Excursions of Mr Brouček (‘Výlety páně Broučkovy’, concert performance): Soloists, Tenebrae; London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 4.5.2025 (CC)
The fierce and tragic beauty of Ainadamar at LA Opera
United States Osvaldo Golijov, Ainadamar: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of LA Opera / Lina González-Granados (conductor). Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, 26.4.2025. (JRo)
An excellent Madrid production of Rimsky-Korsakov’s tale of the tsar
Spain Rimsky-Korsakov, The Tale of Tsar Saltan: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real / Ouri Bronchti (conductor). Teatro Real, Madrid, 2.5.2025. (JMI)
