United Kingdom Britten, Peter Grimes: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera / Tomáš Hanus (conductor). Birmingham Hippodrome, 12.5.2025. (CP)
Welsh National Opera’s Peter Grimes is simply magnificent in Birmingham
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Elīna Garanča blazes as Amneris in the Met’s final Aida of the season
United States Verdi, Aida: Soloists, Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra / John Keenan (conductor). Metropolitan Opera, New York, 9.5.2025. (RP)
Sylvia returns to the Palais Garnier and Manuel Legris showcases the heritage of French classical dance
France Manuel Legris’s Sylvia: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet, Orchestra of the Paris National Opera / Kevin Rhodes (conductor). Palais Garnier, Paris, 9.5.2025 (JO’D)
Nadine Sierra is superb in Bellini’s La sonnambula at the Liceu
Spain Bellini, La sonnambula: Soloists, Liceu Chorus (conductor: Pablo Assante) and Orchestra / Lorenzo Passerini (conductor). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 5.5.2025. (JMI)
A Vienna Lohengrin that demanded to be heard and was also worth seeing
Austria Wagner, Lohengrin: Soloists, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Extra Chorus, and Choir Academy, Stage Orchestra, Vienna State Opera Orchestra / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Vienna State Opera, Vienna, 1.5.2025 (MB)
Scottish Opera’s Hollywood version of The Merry Widow is an entertaining and vibrant show
United Kingdom Lehár, The Merry Widow: Soloists, The Chorus of The Merry Widow and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Stuart Stratford (conductor). Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 4.5.2025. (GT)
Eye-catching Tristan und Isolde heads for space at the Staatstheater Cottbus
Germany Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Chorus and Extras of Philharmonic Orchestra of Staatstheater Cottbus / Alexander Merzyn (conductor). Staatstheater Cottbus, 4.5.2025. (DM-D)
An enjoyable evening of Ravel and Puccini in Valencia
Spain Ravel, Puccini: Soloists, Orchestra Comunitat Valenciana / Michele Spotti (conductor). Palau de Les Arts, Valencia, 4.5.2025. (JMI)
