Switzerland Ligeti, Le Grand Macabre: Soloists and Chorus of the Opernhaus Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich / Tito Ceccherini (conductor), Opernhaus Zürich, Zurich, 3.2.2019. (CCr)
Smart and Lean Grand Macabre Makes the Case for Ligeti in Zurich
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Memorable Singing as Paris Opéra Stages Carsen’s Rusalka
France Dvořák, Rusalka: Soloists, Chorus of the Opéra national de Paris (chorus master: Alessandro di Stefano), Orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris / Susanna Mälkki (conductor). Opéra Bastille, Paris, 29.1.2019. (MB)
Frankfurt Opera’s New, Unconvincing Production of La forza del destino
Germany Verdi, La forza del destino: Oper Frankfurt Chorus, Frankfurter Opern- und Museumorchester / Jader Bignamini (conductor), Opernhaus, Frankfurt, 3.2.2019. (JMI)
Alagna and Kurzak lift Richard Eyre’s Met Opera Carmen revival to another level
United States The Met: Live in HD – Bizet, Carmen: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Metropolitan Opera, New York / Louis Langrée (conductor). Broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 2.2.2019. (JPr)
A Compelling Cast Shines in Frankfurt Opera’s Xerxes
Germany Handel, Xerxes: Frankfurter Opern- und Museumorchester / Constantinos Carydis (conductor), Opernhaus, Frankfurt, 2.2.2019. (JMI)
Frankfurt Opera’s Convincing Revival of the Claus Guth Production of Strauss’s Daphne
Germany Strauss, Daphne: Oper Frankfurt Chorus, Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester / Sebastian Weigle (conductor), Opernhaus, Frankfurt, 1.2.2019. (JMI)
Tcherniakov’s Les Troyens for Paris Opéra Will Surely Prove a Turning-Point in its Chequered Fortunes
France Berlioz, Les Troyens: Soloists, Chorus of the Opéra national de Paris (chorus master: José Luis Basso), Orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris / Philippe Jordan (conductor). Opéra Bastille, Paris, 28.1.2019. (MB)
Jaho, Castronovo and Domingo Breathe New Life into a 25th Anniversary Royal Opera Traviata
United Kingdom Verdi, La traviata: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Antonello Manacorda (conductor). Directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon and broadcast live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 30.1.2019. (JPr)
(c) Catherine Ashmore