Finland Richard Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos: Soloists, Finnish National Opera Orchestra / Hannu Lintu (conductor). Finnish National Opera, Helsinki, 29.1.2020. (GF)
Excellent singing and acting in Helsinki’s Ariadne auf Naxos
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Christian Thielemann’s magnificent conducting and a strong cast mark Dresden’s Die Meistersinger
Germany Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Staatsopernchor and Staatskapelle Dresden / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Semperoper, Dresden, 30.1.2020. (JMI)
Depth, wit and something to chew on in Los Angeles Opera’s new Eurydice
United States Matthew Aucoin, Eurydice: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus of Los Angeles Opera / Matthew Aucoin (conductor), Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles. 1.2.2020. (HS)
(Photo: Cory Weaver, courtesy Los Angeles opera)
A brilliant reading of Falstaff by Zubin Mehta and the Staatskapelle Berlin
Germany Verdi, Falstaff: Staatsopernchor, Staatskapelle Berlin / Zubin Mehta (conductor), Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 29.1.2020. (JMI)
As Brexit looms, an English work flourishes in a Berlin opera house
Germany Britten, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Soloists, Children’s Choir (chorus director: Christian Lindhorst) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / Donald Runnicles (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 29.1.2020. (MB)
at the Deutsche Oper Berlin (c) Bettina Stöß
Pittsburgh Opera’s Alcina is a delight for both ear and eye
United States Handel, Alcina: Soloists, Chatham Baroque, Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra / Antony Walker (conductor), Pittsburgh Opera, CAPA Theater, Pittsburgh, 28.1.2020. (RP)
© David Bachman/Pittsburgh Opera
Unexpected highlights grace the 2020 Ballet Icons Gala at the London Coliseum
United Kingdom Ballet Icons Gala: Soloists, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Valery Ovsyanikov (conductor). London Coliseum, 26.1.2020. (JPr)
A nicely sung Aida at the Liceu – and the classic Mestres Cabanes sets remain a thing of great beauty
Spain Verdi, Aida: Liceu Chorus and Orchestra / Gustavo Gimeno (conductor). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 27 & 28.1.2020. (JMI)
