Opera & Ballet

Collected opera and ballet reviews

Claus Guth’s Vienna Turandot lacks epic grandeur but is redeemed by some fine singing

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AustriaAustria Puccini, Turandot: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Vienna State Opera / Marco Armiliato (conductor). Filmed at the Vienna State Opera (directed by Tiziano Mancini) on 16.12.2023 and currently available on medici.tv. (JPr)

Jonas Kaufmann (Calaf) and Asmik Grigorian (Turandot) © Monika Rittershaus

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Festival Janáček Brno 2024 closes with a terrific staging of The Cunning Little Vixen

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Czech RepublicCzech Republic Festival Janáček Brno 2024 [4] – Janáček, The Cunning Little Vixen: Soloists, Brno Children’s Chorus, Chorus and Orchestra of Janáček Opera / Marko Ivanović (conductor). Janáček Theatre, Brno, 24.11.2024. (GT)

Adam Plachetka (Forester) © Marek Olbrzymek

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Provocative staging of Jenůfa at the Festival Janáček Brno highlights women’s plight in society

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Czech RepublicCzech Republic Festival Janáček Brno 2024 [1] – Jenůfa (1904 original version ed. Mark Audus): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Moravian Theatre Olomouc / Anna Novotná Pešková (conductor). Mahen Theatre, Brno, 22.11.2024. (GT)

Festival Janáček Brno 2024 – Jenůfa Act III

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Atmospheric production of Der Freischütz in Hamburg

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GermanyGermany Weber, Der Freischütz: Soloists and Chorus of Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Yoel Gamzou (conductor). Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg, 23.11.2024. (DM-D)

[centre l-r] Clemens Sienknecht (Samiel), Hubert Kowalczyk (Cuno), Maximilian Schmitt (Max) and William Desbiens (Kilian) © Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

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