Germany Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Komische Oper / James Gaffigan (conductor). Schillertheater, Berlin, 15.12.2023. (MB)
Berlin’s Komische Oper revives Barrie Kosky’s production of Eugene Onegin,
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
ENB’s Nutcracker has changed with the times but is no less magical
United Kingdom English National Ballet’s Nutcracker: Dancers of English National Ballet, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Daniel Richardson (guest conductor). London Coliseum, 14.12.2023. (JO’D)
A very well sung new Turandot in Naples is not the car crash it might appear to be
Italy Puccini, Turandot: Children’s Chorus (director: Stefania Rinaldi), Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro di San Carlo / Dan Ettinger (conductor). Livestreamed on medici.tv from Teatro di San Carlo, Naples. 9.12.2023. (JPr)
A fine revival of the Met’s ‘old-fashioned’ Tannhäuser reclaims Wagner’s undervalued early opera
United States Wagner, Tannhäuser: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Sir Donald Runnicles (conductor). Metropolitan Opera, New York, 6.12.2023. (TM)
The Metropolitan Opera’s Florencia en el Amazonas fails to float my boat
United States Daniel Catán, Florencia en el Amazonas: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Transmitted live (directed by Gary Halvorson) and seen at Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 9.12.2023. (JPr)
Some baggage, but great singing in Gothenburg Opera’s Don Giovanni
Sweden Mozart, Don Giovanni: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Gothenburg Opera / Ville Matvejeff (conductor). Gothenburg Opera main stage, 2.12.2023. (NS)
La Scala’s new ‘stand and deliver’ Don Carlo is excellently sung with Netrebko and Garanča outstanding
Italy Verdi, Don Carlo: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus / Riccardo Chailly (conductor). Livestreamed on Medici.tv from Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 7.12.2023. (JPr)
Brno’s magnificent production of Richard Strauss’s masterpiece Salome with terrific singing by a star soprano
Czech Republic Richard Strauss, Salome: Soloists, Orchestra of Brno Opera / Marko Ivanovic (conductor). National Theatre Brno, 25.11.2023. (GT)
