Bulgaria Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, ‘Talasumche’ Children’s Vocal and Drama Foundation, Orchestra of Sofia Opera and Ballet / Evan-Alexis Christ (conductor). Sofia Opera, 15.6.2024. (GT)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Incoherent Deutsche Oper Berlin Don Giovanni only partially redeemed by good singing
Germany Mozart, Don Giovanni: Soloists, Movement Choir, Chorus (chorus director: Thomas Richter), and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper / Daniel Cohen (conductor). Deutsche Oper Berlin, 26.6.2024. (MB)
Bulgaria’s first Lohengrin in forty years sensationally opens the 2024 Wagner Festival at Sofia Opera
Bulgaria Wagner, Lohengrin: Soloists, Men’s Chorus of Bulgarian National Radio, Chorus and Orchestra of Sofia Opera and Ballet / Constantin Trinks (conductor). Sofia Opera, 13.6.2024. (GT)
David McVicar creates a vividly immediate and essentially realist setting for WNO’s new Il trittico
United Kingdom Puccini, Il trittico: Soloists, Welsh National Opera Chorus and Orchestra / Carlo Rizzi (conductor). Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 22.6.2024. (CR)
Francesca Tiburzi a striking and memorable Tosca at The Grange Festival 2024
United Kingdom The Grange Festival 2024 – Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, The Grange Festival Chorus (chorus master: William Vann), The Grange Festival Children’s Chorus (chorus master: David Hall), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Francesco Cilluffo (conductor). The Grange, Hampshire 21.6.2024. (CK)
Garsington Opera’s new A Midsummer Night’s Dream, though atmospheric, lacks an overall concept
United Kingdom Garsington Opera 2024 [3] – Britten, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Soloists, Garsington Opera Youth Company, Philharmonia Orchestra / Douglas Boyd (conductor). Garsington Opera at Wormsley, 21.6.2024. (CR)
Partenope delights with terrific singing, sprightly playing and San Francisco Opera’s surrealist staging
United States Handel, Partenope: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Christopher Moulds (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 15.6.2024. (HS)
A collective sense of joy in movement from talented dancers from English and Norwegian companies
United Kingdom Next Generation Festival – New English Ballet Theatre/Norwegian National Ballet 2: Linbury Theatre, Covent Garden, London, 15.6.2024. (JO’D)