United States Richard Strauss, Salome: Soloists, Band / Jacob Ashworth (conductor). Heartbeat Opera, Irondale Center, Brooklyn, 14.2.2025. (RP)
Heartbeat Opera has a hit with its small-scale but potent Salome
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Revelatory production of Richard Strauss’s Die Liebe der Danae in Munich
Germany Richard Strauss, Die Liebe der Danae: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Bayerische Staatsoper / Sebastien Weigle (conductor). Nationaltheater, Munich, 15.2.2025. (ALL)
Michael Volle is unsurpassable again as Wotan in David McVicar’s mostly traditional La Scala Die Walküre
Italy Wagner, Die Walküre: Soloists, Teatro alla Scala Orchestra / Simone Young (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Ella Gallieni) from La Scala, Milan, 12.2.2025 and available on demand until 19.2.2025. (JPr)
Regents Opera continue their Ring cycle with most impressive Die Walküre and Siegfried performances
United Kingdom Wagner, Die Walküre and Siegfried: Soloists, Regents Opera Orchestra / Ben Woodward (conductor), York Hall, Bethnal Green, London 11 & 13.2.2025. (JR)
Cranko’s choreographic language in his Paris Onegin makes each of the characters vivid
France John Cranko’s Onegin: Dancers of Paris Opera Ballet, Orchestra of the Paris National Opera / Vello Pähn (conductor). Palais Garnier, Paris, 8.2.2025. (JO’D)
An extraordinarily successful Rheingold begins Regents Opera’s Ring cycle
United Kingdom Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, Regents Opera Orchestra, Ben Woodward (conductor). York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, 9.2.2025. (MB)
Desperate passion in Barrie Kosky’s enthralling Zurich Manon Lescaut
Switzerland Puccini, Manon Lescaut: Soloists, Extras Association of Zurich Opera, Zurich Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Zurich / Marco Armiliato (conductor). Zurich Opera, 8.2.2025. (MF)
Deutsche Oper Berlin’s musical performance of Die Frau so strong it almost redeemed Kratzer’s visuals
Germany R. Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Chorus and Orchestra of Deutsche Oper Berlin / Sir Donald Runnicles (conductor). Deutsche Oper Berlin, 8.2.2025. (SRT)
