Spain R. Wagner, Das Rheingold: Liceu’s Symphony Orchestra / Josep Pons (conductor). Barcelona’s Liceu, 25 and 26.4.2013. (JMI)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
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)
Hansel and Gretel Into, out of the Woods
First Class Performance of Wagner’s First Opera
Germany Wagner, Die Feen: Soloists, Chorus of Oper Leipzig, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra / Ulf Schirmer (conductor). Leipzig Opera House, 20.4.2013 (MB)