United States W.A. Mozart, Die Zauberflöte: Soloists, Virginia Opera, Mark Russell Smith (conductor), George Mason University Center for the Arts, Fairfax, VA 12.6.2013 (RRR)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Innovative Fidelio May Not Be to All Tastes
Switzerland Beethoven: Fidelio Soloists, Chorus of the Zurich Opera, Philharmonia Zurich, Conductor: Fabio Luisi, Zurich Opera, Zurich. 8.12.2013. (JR)
An Overdue London Première: Well Worth the Wait
United Kingdom Haas: London Sinfonietta, Emilio Pomàrico (conductor). Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 6.12.2013 (MB)
Munich’s Frau ohne Schatten a Conductor’s Triumph
Germany R. Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Soloists, Bavarian State Orchestra, Kyrill Petrenko (conductor), National Theater, 24.11.2013 (JFL)
Manon Lescaut in Outdated Production
Spain Puccini: Manon Lescaut, Seville Orchestra, Maestranza Chorus, Pedro Halffter (conductor), Teatro de la Maestranza, Seville, 5.12.2013 (JMI)
New Ballet Inspired by Plant Life
Prokofiev, Nyman, Strange Blooms & Configurations, Southbank Centre & Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Southbank Centre, London, 3.12.2013 (J.O’D) Strange Blooms Dancers & Creative Collaborators: Avatâra Ayuso, Richard Causer, Sunbee Han, Noora Kela, Simone Muller-Lotz, Teerachai Thobumrung, Lee-Yuan Tu, Hian Ruth Voon, Marco Mantovani (Apprentice Dancer) Concept, Choreography & Direction: Shobana Jeyasingh Composer: Gabriel Prokofiev Lighting … Read more
Must-see Salome in Stockholm
Sweden Richard Strauss Salome: Soloists, The Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra / Lawrence Renes (conductor). The Royal Opera House, Stockholm, 30.11.2013. Premiere (GF)
When is a cliché not a cliché?
Italy Verdi, Ernani: Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro dell’Opera, Rome. Conductor: Riccardo Muti, (Chorus Master: Roberto Gabbiani). Rome, 1.12.2013. (JB)