Germany Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Children’s Chorus of Kiel Opera, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra / Benjamin Reiners (conductor). Kiel Opera House, 4.2.2024. (DMD)
Two last-minute replacements save and make the day for La bohème in Kiel
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
In its first revival ENO’s The Handmaid’s Tale remains an impressive piece of theatre
United Kingdom Poul Ruders, The Handmaid’s Tale: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Joana Carneiro (conductor). London Coliseum, 3.2.2024. (CC)
Deeply felt love for Lehár’s music shapes Bremerhaven’s The Merry Widow
Germany Lehár, The Merry Widow: Soloists, Ballet and Chorus of Stadttheater Bremerhaven, Philharmonic Orchestra Bremerhaven / Hartmut Brüsch (conductor). Stadttheater Bremerhaven, 3.2.2024. (DMD)
Kosky’s thought-provoking The Golden Cockerel at Berlin’s Komische Opera gets a stylish performance
Germany Rimsky-Korsakov, The Golden Cockerel: Soloists, Dancers, Chorus and Orchestra of the Komische Oper / James Gaffigan (conductor). Komische Oper, Berlin, 3.2.2024. (MB)
George Benjamin’s Written on Skin is ably revived and given a commanding performance in Berlin
Germany Benjamin, Written on Skin: Soloists, Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper / Marc Albrecht (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 1.2.2024. (MB)
The Met’s cast fires on all cylinders in Carrie Cracknell’s first-rate truck stop Carmen
United States Bizet, Carmen: Soloists Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Daniele Rustioni (conductor). Transmitted Live in HD (directed by Gary Halvorson) from New York to the Avenue Cinema, Belfast. 27.1.2024. (RB)
Gustavo Dudamel’s not ready for prime time Rheingold celebrates Frank Gehry at Disney Hall
United States Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, Los Angeles Philharmonic / Gustavo Dudamel (conductor). Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, 1.11.2024. (LV)
The music of La Strada, the visual inventiveness, and Alina Cojocaru hold the audience’s attention
United Kingdom Natalia Horečná’s La Strada: ACWorkroom Ltd, Sadler’s Wells, London, 25.1.2024. (JO’D)
