Spain Verdi, Otello: Liceu Orchestra and Chorus / Philippe Auguin (conductor), Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 5 & 7.2.2016. (JMI)
The Liceu Mounts a Disappointing Verdi Otello Across Two Casts
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Ellen Kent’s Perceptive and Entertaining Tosca Makes Strong Impression
United Kingdom Puccini, Tosca: Soloists of Chisinau National Opera, Members of the Orchestra of the National Opera & Ballet Theatre of Moldova ‘Maria Biesu’ and National Philharmonic of Moldova ‘Serghei Lunchevici’, Vasyl Vasylenko (conductor), Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 7.2.2016 (MC)
ENO’s Magic Flute Lacks Depth Despite Superb Ensemble Work
United Kingdom Mozart, Die Zauberflöte: (sung in English as The Magic Flute): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Orchestra/Mark Wigglesworth (conductor), London Coliseum, 5.2.2016. (CC)
(c) Robbie Jack
Sicily Uncovers the Secrets of Götterdämmerung
photo courtesy of Teatro Massimo Palermo
Italy Wagner, Götterdämmerung: Staging by Graham Vick with Ron Howell as Director of the Mimes. Sets and costumes by Richard Hudson. Lighting Designer, Giuseppe Di Iorio. Soloists, Orchestra and chorus of Teatro Massimo, Palermo (Chorus Master, Piero Monti) / Stefan Anton Reick (conductor). Teatro Massimo, Palermo, 28.01.2016 and 2.2.2016. (JB)
Daniel Börtz’s Medea Contradicts Opera is Dying
Sweden Börtz, Medea: Soloists, Female Voices from the Royal Opera Chorus and The Royal Opera Orchestra, Patrik Ringborg (conductor). Royal Stockholm Opera 29.1.2016. (GF)
(c) Carl Thorborg
McRae’s The Devil Inside Provides a Chilling Night at the Peacock Theatre
United Kingdom Stuart McRae, The Devil Inside: Soloists, the Music Theatre Wales Ensemble, Michael Rafferty (conductor). Peacock Theatre, London, 3.2.2016 (MB)
Confused Production of Chabrier’s L’Etoile Makes for a Tedious Evening
United Kingdom Chabrier, L’Etoile: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Mark Elder (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 1.2.2016. (MB)
Opera North’s Revival of Così fan tutte is “as Good as it Gets”
United Kingdom Mozart, Così fan tutte: Orchestra and Soloists of Opera North, Jac van Steen (conductor), Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds, 3.02.2016. (JL)
