United Kingdom Jen Hartley, Kings, Witches, Lovers and Souls: Eleanor McIntosh (soprano), Anne Elizabeth Cooper (mezzo-soprano), Johnny Hill (baritone), Jonny Danciger (director), Cumbria Youth Chorus, Cumbria Opera Group / Joe Davies & Alastair Burton (co-musical directors), Penrith Playhouse, 31.8.2024. (SRT)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
The State Ballet of Georgia’s dancers speak the language of Swan Lake with consummate fluency and eloquence
United Kingdom The State Ballet of Georgia’s Swan Lake: Dancers of the State Ballet of Georgia, Orchestra of English National Opera / Papuna Gvaberidze (conductor). London Coliseum, 28.8.2024. (JO’D)
An excellent cast brings Peter Sellars’s Salzburg production of The Gambler vividly to life
Austria Salzburg Festival 2024 [10] – Prokofiev, The Gambler: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Timur Zangiev (conductor). Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, 25.8.2024. (MB)
For all the power of Rihab Chaieb’s (anti-)hero, this was a mixed Glyndebourne Carmen at the Proms
United Kingdom PROM 52 – Bizet, Carmen from Glyndebourne: Soloists, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Anja Bihlmaier (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 29.8.2024. (CC)
Excellent cast let down by lifeless conducting and a confusing Salzburg production of Les contes d’Hoffmann
Austria Salzburg Festival 2024 [8] – Offenbach, Les contes d’Hoffmann: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Marc Minkowski (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 24.8.2024. (MB)
Rossini’s Ermione receives a visually overwhelming production in Pesaro
Italy Rossini Opera Festival 2024 [2] – Rossini, Ermione: Soloists, Coro del teatro ventidio basso, Orchestra sinfonica nazionale della RAI / Michele Mariotti (conductor). Vitrifrigo Arena, Pesaro, 9.8.2024. (AB)
Excellent performances from the cast of six in a reworking of a rare Paisello opera
United Kingdom Paisiello/Farwell, The Fabulist: Soloists, Instrumental group. Charing Cross Theatre, London, 19.8.2024. (AK)
Exceptional music making in a rather static production of Bianca e Falliero in Pesaro
Italy Rossini Opera Festival 2024 [1] – Rossini, Bianca e Falliero: Soloists, Coro del teatro ventidio basso, Orchestra sinfonica nazionale della RAI, Roberto Abbado (conductor). Auditorium Scavolini, Pesaro, 7.8.2024. (AB)