United States Verdi, Aida: Soloists, Metropolitan Opera Chorus & Orchestra / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Metropolitan Opera, New York, 4.1.2025. (RP)
The Met’s new Aida received the performance it deserves the second time around
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Oldenburg’s Hänsel und Gretel fills the theatre with the smell of gingerbread
Germany Humperdinck, Hänsel und Gretel: Oldenburg State Theatre Soloists. Children’s & Youth Chorus, Oldenburg State Orchestra / Eric Staiger (conductor). Oldenburg, 27.12.2024. (DM-D)
Even though the festive season is past, Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker still tastes as sweet
United Kingdom Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Dancers of Scottish Ballet, Scottish Ballet Orchestra / Daniel Parkinson (conductor). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 8.1.2025. (SRT)
Xabier Anduaga triumphs in Munich’s new production of La fille du régiment
Germany Donizetti, La fille du régiment: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Bayerische Staatsoper / Stefano Montanari (conductor). Nationaltheater, Munich, 31.12.2024. (ALL)
McCrystal’s too merry Glyndebourne Merry Widow lacks the depth it deserves despite a fine ensemble
United Kingdom Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow: Soloists, The Glyndebourne Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra / John Wilson (conductor). Filmed (directed by Rhodri Huw) at the Glyndebourne Opera House and broadcast on BBC Four on 25.12.2024 and available on iPlayer. (JPr)
Sky Arts shows the constructive chaos behind English National Ballet’s work-in-progress new Nutcracker
United Kingdom Backstage with English National Ballet (Sky Arts, series directed by Zoë Dobson) & English National Ballet’s Nutcracker (directed for TV by Peter Jones): English National Ballet, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Maria Seletskaja (conductor). Filmed at the London Coliseum and first broadcast on Sky Arts on 23.12.2024. (JPr)
A food bank serves as the striking backdrop for Bremen’s La bohème
Germany Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Extras of Theater Bremen, Bremer Philharmoniker / Sasha Yankevych (conductor). Theater Bremen, 23.12.2024. (DM-D)
Exciting singing and imaginative staging in Hamburg’s vintage La bohème
Germany Puccini, La bohème: Staatsoper Soloists, Chorus, Extra Chorus and Alsterspatzen of Staatsoper Hamburg. Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg / Ramón Tebar (conductor). Staatsoper Hamburg, 17.12.2024. (DM-D)
