United Kingdom Mozart, Le Nozze di Figaro (Revival premiere): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, / Anthony Negus (conductor), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 25.2.2012 (GPu)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Ernani’s Convoluted Plot Taken at a Gallop Amid Gothic Gloom
United Kingdom Verdi, Ernani: Met Live in HD staged by Peter McClintock and directed for television by Barbara Willis Sweete with Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Marco Armiliato (conductor), broadcast to the Barbican Cinema, London, 25.2.12. (JPr)
Bintley makes Brilliant Ballet from Boots, Betrothals and Booze.
United Kingdom Paul Reade, Hobson’s Choice: Birmingham Royal Ballet, David Bintley (Director) Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Philip Ellis (conductor) Birmingham Hippodrome, 22.02.2012 (GR)
Bombast and Passion but Little Subtlety in Medcalf’s Aida
United Kingdom Verdi, Aida : Soloists and Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Andrew Greenwood (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 23.2.2012 (JPr)
Death of Klinghoffer Lacks Cogency Despite ENO’s Outstanding Production
United Kingdom John Adams, The Death of Klinghoffer: Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra of English National Opera, Baldur Brönnimann (conductor), London Coliseum, 25.2.2012 (London Premiere) (CC)
Santuzza in Stilettos, Canio on TV
India Pietro Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana & Ruggero Leoncavallo, Pagliacci: Soloists, Symphony Orchestra of India, Members of the Kazakh State Philharmonic Capella, The Paranjoti Academy Chorus, Living Voices, The Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble, Antonello Allemandi, Zane Dalal (conductors), Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, 18 & 21.2.2012 (JSM)
Time Travels with the HMS Pinafore
United Kingdom Gilbert & Sullivan, HMS Pinafore: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Manchester University Gilbert & Sullivan Society (MUGSS), Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, 22.2.2012 (RJW)
Taking Off Without a Butterfly
Italy Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro dell’ Opera, Pinchas Steinberg (conductor ), Rome, 23.2.2012 (JB)