Germany Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, Bayerische Staatsoper Orchestra / Patrick Lange (conductor), Nationaltheater, Munich, 3.7.2021. (JMI)
Das Rheingold revival in Munich: sometimes pleasing but rather an uneven performance
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
New Chamber Opera’s delightful, charming and innocent production of Galuppi’s The She-Devil
United Kingdom Galuppi, La Diavolessa: Soloists of New Chamber Opera and The Band of Instruments / Steven Devine (conductor/harpsichord). New College, Oxford, 30.6.2021. (CR)
Business-as-usual mediocrity instead of post-Covid risk-taking: Gürbaca’s Lucia is way off the mark in Zurich
Switzerland Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor: Soloists and Chorus of the Opernhaus Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich / Speranza Scappucci (conductor), Opernhaus Zürich, Zurich, 26.6.2021. (CCr)
Longborough’s Big Top Così fan tutte just about survives the cuts and the re-orchestration
United Kingdom Longborough Festival Opera 2021 [2] – Mozart, Così fan tutte: Soloists and the Barefoot Band / Lesley Anne Sammons (conductor). Big Top, Longborough Festival Opera, Gloucestershire, 26.6.2021. (CP)
(c) Matthew Williams-Ellis
Die ersten Menschen is Rudi Stephan’s musical legacy because his life was tragically short
Netherlands Rudi Stephan, Die ersten Menschen (The First Humans): Soloists, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / François-Xavier Roth (conductor). Filmed (directed by Sarah Derendinger) at De Nationale Opera, Amsterdam, and streamed from 25.6.2021 on ARTE Concert. (JPr)
Anna Princeva stars as a convincing Mimì in a Covid-adjusted La bohème revival at Covent Garden
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Renato Balsadonna (conductor). Filmed (directed by Jonathan Haswell) on 23.6.2021 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and streamed on 25.6.2021. (JPr)
The eyes have it! Sergei Polunin mesmerises Moscow once more as Rasputin
Russian Federation Rasputin: Sergei Polunin and dancers of Polunin Ink. Livestreamed from Crocus City Hall, Moscow, 21.6.2021 (available until 29.6.2021). (JPr)
A rather routine La bohème at Barcelona’s Liceu
Spain Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra of the Liceu Opera Barcelona / Giampaolo Bisanti (conductor). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 21 & 22.6.2021. (JMI)
