Remembering Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk returning to Moscow
05/04/2020
Russian Federation Shostakovich, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk: Chorus and Orchestra of the Samara State Opera and Ballet Company / Alexander Anisimov (conductor). Stanislavsky Musical Theatre, Moscow, 22.2.2018. (GT)
Samara Opera’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Revisiting the Met’s Superb 2010 Don Carlo
03/04/2020
United States Verdi, Don Carlo (archived Live in HD encore): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Performance of 11.12.2010 and reviewed on 2.4.2020. (RDA)
Marina Poplavskaya (Elisabeth) & Roberto Alagna (Don Carlo) (c) Ken Howard
Unconventional, inspiring Don Giovanni in Helsinki
17/03/2020
Finland Mozart, Don Giovanni: Finnish National Opera Chorus and Orchestra / Patrick Fournillier (conductor). Finnish National Opera, Helsinki, 6.3.2020. (GF)
Markus Suihkonen (Leporello) & Tuomas Pursio (Don Giovanni) © Stefan Bremer
Two impressive debuts in Chicago Lyric’s Madama Butterfly reboot
16/03/2020
United States Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Soloists, Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago / Henrik Nánási (conductor). Civic Opera House, Chicago. 7.3.2020. (JLZ)
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Madama Butterfly (c) Andrew Cioffi
LA Opera’s Roberto Devereux features superb singing and their outstanding orchestra
09/03/2020
United States Donizetti, Roberto Devereux: LA Opera Chorus and Orchestra / Eun Sun Kim (conductor. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, 5.3.2020. (DD)
Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux (c) Cory Weaver
Juan Diego Flórez shines in La bohème revival at Zurich Opera
09/03/2020
Switzerland Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus of the Zurich Opera, Philharmonia Zurich / Marco Armiliato (conductor). Zurich Opera, Zurich, 8.3.2020. (JR)
Juan Diego Flórez (Rodolfo) and Ruzan Mantashyan (Mimì) (c) Toni Suter
In Berlin, the Staatsoper presents a Carmen to make one think
09/03/2020
Germany Bizet, Carmen: Soloists, Children’s Choir of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (chorus director: Vincenz Weissenburger), Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus director: Martin Wright), Staatskapelle Berlin / Daniel Barenboim (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 7.3.2020. (MB)
Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen) (c) Monika Rittershaus
Handel meets House of Cards? A compelling Agrippina from the Met
04/03/2020
United States Handel, Agrippina: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Harry Bicket (conductor). Broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera, New York to Dundonald Omniplex Cinema, Belfast, 29.2.2020. (RB)
Handel’s Agrippina (c) Marty Sohl/Met Opera
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This joyous set of Beethoven's sonatas takes its place among the very best. [...]In its own way, the Seven Words of Christ is just as sublime as the Stabat Mater. [...]This sensitive, dynamic recording is a joy, and may even constitute a revelation. [...]The pair exhibits a refined style on these illuminating performances. [...]A deeply affecting experience that ought to win the opera many new admirers. [...]No items.
This joyous set of Beethoven's sonatas takes its place among the very best. 
In its own way, the Seven Words of Christ is just as sublime as the Stabat Mater. 
This sensitive, dynamic recording is a joy, and may even constitute a revelation. 
The pair exhibits a refined style on these illuminating performances. 
A deeply affecting experience that ought to win the opera many new admirers. 
