United Kingdom Berlioz, Le damnation de Faust: Ruxandra Donose (mezzo); Paul Groves (tenor); Benedict Nelson (baritone); Sir Willard White (bass-baritone); New London Children’s Choir; London Symphony Chorus; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Dutoit. Royal Festival Hall, London, 30.4.2013 (CC)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Indefatigable Plácido Domingo Takes On Role of Nabucco
United Kingdom Verdi, Nabucco: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Nicola Luisotti (conductor). ROH Cinema 2012/13 Broadcast to the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, London, 29.4.2013. (JPr)
Ecological Rheingold Disappoints
Spain R. Wagner, Das Rheingold: Liceu’s Symphony Orchestra / Josep Pons (conductor). Barcelona’s Liceu, 25 and 26.4.2013. (JMI)
Somewhat Magical Flute From Juventus Lyrica
Argentina Mozart, The Magic Flute: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Juventus Lyrica, Hernán Schvartzman (conductor), Teatro Avenida, Buenos Aires. 19.4.2013. (JSJ)
Handel’s Esther: A Special Experience
United Kingdom Handel: Esther, HWV501 (First Reconstructable Version, Cannons, 1720) Soloists, Dunedin Consort, John Butt (director) Wigmore Hall, London, 26.4.2013 (CC)
Student Singers Shine in L’Enfant et les sortilèges
United Kingdom Poulenc and Ravel:Stephen Mangan (actor), Members of the Royal Academy of Music, Jean-Baptiste Barrière (video), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Stéphane Denève (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 26.4.2013 (MB)
Psychology Versus Primitive Feelings in Helsinki
Finland Bartók Duke Bluebeard’s Castle / Leoncavallo I Pagliacci. Soloists, Finnish National Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Mikko Franck (conductor). Finnish National Opera, Helsinki. 12.4.2013. Premiere (GF)
Barenboim Does Götterdämmerung Proud Despite Messy Production
Germany Wagner, Götterdämmerung: Soloists, Staatsopernchor Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin / Daniel Barenboim (conductor). Schiller Theater, Berlin, 21.4.2013 (MB)