Opera & Ballet

Collected opera and ballet reviews

Compelling directorial craftsmanship and musical excellence come together in Bayreuth’s new Die Meistersinger

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GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2025 [4] – Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nϋrnberg: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Daniele Gatti (conductor). 11.8.2025. (DM-D)

Die Meistersinger Act I © Bayreuther Festspiele/Enrico Nawrath

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In Bayreuth, Semyon Bychkov explores the primordial depths of the Tristan und Isolde score

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GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2025 [3] – Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Bayreuther Festspielhaus, 10.8.2025. (DM-D)

Tristan und Isolde Act I: [l-r] Ekaterina Gubanova (Brangäne), Andreas Schager (Tristan), Jordan Shanahan (Kurwenal),  Camilla Nylund (Isolde) and Günther Groissböck (King Marke) © Bayreuther Festspiele/Enrico Nawrath

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A vague Bayreuth Lohengrin production but it is unlikely the music could sound better

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GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2025 [2] – Wagner, Lohengrin: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Bayreuther Festspielhaus, 9.8.2025. (DM-D)

Lohengrin Act I: Olafur Sigurdarson (Friedrich von Telramund) and Miina-Liisa Värelä (Ortrud) © Bayreuther Festspiele/Enrico Nawrath

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After 300 years: Innsbruck sees a musically brilliant return to the stage of Caldara’s Ifigenia in Aulide

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AustriaAustria Innsbruck Festival for Early Music – Antonio Caldara, Ifigenia in Aulide: Soloists, Accademia Bizantina / Ottavio Dantone (conductor), Tiroler Landestheater, 10.8.2025. (AB)

Ifigenia in Aulide at the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Music © Birgit Gufler

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Churning is a fresh look for Patience in Buxton

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2025 [3] – Peak Opera, Patience: Soloists and Chorus, with Orchestra of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Festival / Dave Anstice-Pim (conductor). Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 7.8.2025. (RW)

Patience: ‘I know that I am loved by you’ © Charles Smith

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Charles Court Opera’s magnificent Mikado is a sell-out in Buxton

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2025 [2] – Charles Court Opera, The Mikado: Soloists and Orchestra of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company / David Eaton (conductor). Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 8.8.2025. (RW)

Charles Court Opera’s The Mikado © Charles Smith

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Gilbert’s witticisms at their best: Princess Ida at Buxton is a G&S delight

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2025 [1] – National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Princess Ida: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company / John Andrews (conductor). Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 9.8.2025. (RW)

National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s Princess Ida © Charles Smith

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Sofia Ballet’s freshly exciting Romeo and Juliet is a terrific success in the setting of Pancherovo Lake  

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BulgariaBulgaria Muses on the Water Summer Festival – Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet: Soloists, Corps de Ballet and Orchestra of Sofia Ballet / Igor Bogdanov (conductor), Pancherovo Lake, Sofia, 1.8.2024. (GT)

Marta Petkova (Juliet) and Frederico Pinto (Romeo)

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