United Kingdom Tom Dale Company’s Step Sonic: The Place, London, 14.11.2019. (JO’D)
Tom Dale Company’s dancers become their own sound source for Step Sonic’s music
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
ENO’s production and performance of Glass’s Orphée has a vitality that almost throbs
United Kingdom Glass, Orphée (sung in an English translation by Netia Jones and Emma Jenkins): Soloists, Orchestra of English National Opera / Geoffrey Paterson (conductor). London Coliseum, 15.11.2019. (CC)
Fazioli, Mark Springer: Army of Lovers at The Playground Theatre
United Kingdom Army of Lovers (libretto by David Flusfeder and music by Mark Springer): Mark Springer and Ben Schoeman (pianists), Ben Groenevelt (double bass). The Playground Theatre, Kensington, London, 13.11. 2019. (JB)
Renato Balsadonna conducts Opera North’s La bohème empathetically, but time this production was retired
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North / Renato Balsadonna (conductor). The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays. 12.11.2019. (RJF)
Doña Francisquita – nicely sung zarzuela on stage at Barcelona’s Liceu
Spain Amadeo Vives, Doña Francisquita: Liceu Orchestra and Chorus / Óliver Díaz (conductor), Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 11 & 12.11.2019. (JMI)
A new production of Purcell’s King Arthur in Berlin
Germany Purcell, King Arthur: Actors, Soloists, Ein Skills Ensemble, Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus director: Martin Wright), Akademie für Alte Musk Berlin, René Jacobs (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 8.11.2019. (MB)
Conor Mitchell’s powerful new music drama, packing a political punch, is staged in Belfast
United Kingdom Conor Mitchell, Abomination: A DUP Opera: The Belfast Ensemble / Tom Brady (conductor). Lyric Theatre, Belfast, 8.11.2019. (RB)
The Met’s troubled Madama Butterfly does justice to Anthony Minghella’s vision and memory
United States The Met: Live in HD – Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Pier Giorgio Morandi (conductor). Broadcast live to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, 9.11.2019. (JPr)
