United Kingdom Stravinsky, The Rake’s Progress: Soloists and Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Sian Edwards (conductor), Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 17.3.2012 (SRT)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Revivals and Shared Productions Promise Exciting Future for WNO
United Kingdom Verdi, Berlioz, Mozart: Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru (North Wales Theatre), Llandudno, 13-15.3.2012 (RJF)
Impeccable Dancing in BRB’s Coppélia
United Kingdom Delibes, Coppélia: Dancers of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Koen Kessels, produced by Sir Peter Wright, London Coliseum, London, 15.3.2012. (JPr)
Persuasive Dancing but Less Successful Score in Beauty and the Beast
United Kingdom Various Composers, Beauty and the Beast: Northern Ballet/David Nixon (choreography, direction ) and Northern Ballet Sinfonia/ John Pryce-Jones. (conductor), Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 15.3.2012 (SRT)
Promising Singers in Offbeat Version of Mozart’s Magic Flute
United Kingdom Mozart, Die Zauberflöte: Soloists, Royal Academy Opera Chorus, Royal Academy Sinfonia, Jane Glover (conductor). Sir Jack Lyons Theatre, Royal Academy of Music, London, 14.3.2012 (MB)
Dancing and Music of the Highest Order in BRB’s Ashton Double Bill
United Kingdom Frederick Ashton ‘Spring Passions’ Double Bill, Daphnis and Chloë and The Two Pigeons: Dancers of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Koen Kessels. London Coliseum, London, 13.3.2012. (JPr)
Wild Thing, She Makes Your Heart Sing; Meow
Spain Manuel Penella: El gato montés: Soloists, Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, Coro del Teatro de la Zarzuela, Óliver Díaz (conductor), Teatro de la Zarzuela, Madrid, 3.3.2012 (JMI)
Stagecraft Dominates in Seattle Opera’s Orphée et Eurydice
United States Gluck, Orphée et Eurydice: Seattle Opera, soloists, Gary Thor Wedow (conductor), Jose Maria Condemi (director), Phillip Lienau (sets), Heidi Zamora (costumes), Connie Yun (lighting), Joyce Degenfelder (hair and makeup design), Yannis Adoniou (choreography), Beth Kirchhoff (chorus master), Philip A. Kelsey and David McDade (musical preparation), McCaw Hall, Seattle, 25 & 29.2.2012 (BJ)