Spain Parra, Bartók: Orquesta Nacional de España / David Afkham (conductor), Auditorio de Música, Madrid, 21.4.2018. (JMI)
A Brilliant Bluebeard’s Castle from Spain’s National Orchestra
International Opera
All opera reviews from sources other that the UK
Frankfurt Opera’s Das Rheingold Avoids Cheap Sensationalism
Germany Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra / Sebastian Weigle (conductor), Frankfurt Opera, 19.4.2018. (GT)
Reconstructed Monteverdi Brings Humanity to a Venerable Myth
United States Monteverdi, L’Orfeo: Soloists, Apollo’s Singers, Apollo’s Fire/Jeannette Sorrell (conductor), Kulas Hall, Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, Ohio, 13.4.2018. (MSJ)
Yoncheva, Beczała and Ageless Domingo Headline a Memorable Luisa Miller from the Met
United States Verdi, Luisa Miller: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Bertrand de Billy (conductor), Met Live in HD broadcast to the Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 14.4.2018. (JPr)
Better Late Than Never: Britten’s Gloriana Makes an Impressive Madrid Debut
Spain Britten, Gloriana: Teatro Real Chorus and Orchestra / Ivor Bolton (conductor), Teatro Real, Madrid, 12 & 13.4.2018. (JMI)
Scotland – England 1:1, Zurich’s New Maria Stuarda
Switzerland Donizetti, Maria Stuarda: Philharmonia Zurich / Enrique Mazzola (conductor), Zurich Opera, Zurich 8.4.2018. (JR)
Vienna State Opera’s Parsifal: Vacuous Production but Strong Musical Performances
Austria Wagner, Parsifal: Soloists, Children of the Vienna State Opera Opera School, Chorus (chorus master: Martin Schebesta) and Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera / Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Vienna State Opera, 5.4.2018. (MB)
Farcical ‘Barbiere di qualità’ in Gothenburg
Sweden Rossini, Il barbiere di Siviglia: Soloists, male chorus and dancers of Gothenburg Opera, Gothenburg Opera Orchestra / Henrik Schaefer (conductor), Gothenburg Opera, 8.4.2018. (NS)
