Spain R. Strauss, Elektra: Soloists, Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid, Coro Intermezzo, Semyon Bychkov (conductor), Teatro Real de Madrid 2 & 3.10.2011 (JMI)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Greek Tragedy reflecting European Politics?
Italy Richard Strauss, Elektra. Augmented Orchestra of Teatro dell’Opera, Teatro dell’Opera Rome, 2.10.2011 (JB)
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Sizzling Beauty and the Beast
United Kingdom Beauty and the Beast: Ballet performed by dancers from the Birmingham Royal Ballet, with music by Glenn Buhr, Choreography by David Bintley, Designs by Philip Prowse and Lighting by Mark Jonathan, with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Paul Murphy (Conductor), Birmingham Hippodrome, 28. 9. 2011 (GR).
Renée Fleming in SFO’s Lucrezia Borgia: Production Could Use Harder Edge
United States Donizetti, Lucrezia Borgia: Soloists, orchestra and chorus, San Francisco Opera, Riccardo Frizza (conductor), War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. 29.9.2011 (HS)
A symbolic Lohengrin in Buenos Aires
Argentina Wagner, Lohengrin: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro Colón. Conductor: Ira Levin, Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires. 23.9.2011. (JSJ)
Dramatic and Reverential Verdi Opens Andris Nelson’s New CBSO Season
United Kingdom Verdi, Requiem: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with Andris Nelsons (Conductor), CBSO Chorus (Chorus Master – Julian Wilkins) and Soloists, Kristine Opolais (Soprano), Mihoko Fujimura (Mezzo) , Pavel Černoch (Tenor) & Jan Martinik (Bass) Birmingham Symphony Hall, 22.9.2011 (GR).
Lully’s Atys: Brilliant Production of Opera Where Drama Outshines Music
United States Jean-Baptiste Lully, Atys: Soloists, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie (conductor). Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York 20.9.2011 (SSM)
Evelino Pidò invokes the heavenly and the hellish in Gounod’s Faust
United Kingdom Gounod, Faust: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Evelino Pidò (conductor). 18.9.2011 (CC)