United States Verdi, Rigoletto: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Lyric Opera of Chicago / Enrique Mazzola (conductor). Civic Opera House, Chicago, 14.9.2024. (JLZ)
The Lyric Opera of Chicago season opens with a compelling Rigoletto
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Saffron Opera Group’s Meistersinger for its 10th anniversary was a triumph over adversity
United Kingdom Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Soloists, Saffron Opera Group Chorus (chorus director: James Davey), Saffron Opera Group Orchestra / Michael Thorne (conductor). Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden, Essex, 15.9.2024. (JPr)
San Francisco Opera’s The Handmaid’s Tale could not be timelier, even if the music feels dated
United States Poul Ruders, The Handmaid’s Tale: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Karen Kamensek (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 14.9.2024. (HS)
Siobhan Stagg steps in as Susanna and is the undoubted star of David McVicar’s Marriage of Figaro revival
United Kingdom Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Royal Opera / Julia Jones (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Rhodri Huw) to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, from Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 10.9.2024. (JPr)
Porpora’s Ifigenia in Aulide is yet another triumph for the Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival
Germany Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival 2024 [2] – Nicola Antonio Porpora’s Ifigenia in Aulide: Soloists, Actors, Les Talens Lyriques / Christophe Rousset (conductor). Markgräfliches Opernhaus, Bayreuth, 7.9.2024. (AB)
Garsington Opera’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a Proms evening of musical magic
United Kingdom PROM 68 – Garsington Opera’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Soloists, Garsington Opera Youth Company, Philharmonia Orchestra / Douglas Boyd (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 10.9.2024. (KMcD)
Full-throttle celebration of Die Fledermaus at Musikfest Bremen
United Kingdom Musikfest Bremen 2024 [2] – Johann Strauss II, Die Fledermaus: Soloists, Musikfest Bremen Chorus, Les Musiciens du Louvre / Marc Minkowski (conductor). Die Glocke, Bremen, 6.9.2024. (DMD)
Captivating Il trovatore in a magnificent open-air setting in Braunschweig
Germany Verdi, Il trovatore: Soloists, Chorus, Extra-Chorus of Staatstheater Braunschweig, Staatsorchester Braunschweig / Srba Dinić (conductor). Burgplatz, Braunschweig, 1.9.2024. (DM-D)
