Spain Vincenzo Bellini, Norma: Europa Galante, Valencia’s Coral Catedralicia, Fabio Biondi (conductor), Auditorio El Baluarte, Pamplona, 19.2.2012 (JMI)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Modernist Mefistofele by Boito Outclasses Mozart’s Figaro in Budapest
Hungary Arrigo Boito: Mefistofele, Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Budapest Opera /János Kovács (conductor), Budapest Opera House, 2.2.2012 (SF)
Welsh National Opera’s Béatrice et Bénédict
United Kingdom Berlioz, Béatrice et Bénédict, (Revival Premiere) Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Michael Hofstetter, conductor, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 17.2.2012 (GPu)
Scottish Opera Offers Family-Friendly Hansel and Gretel
United Kingdom Humperdinck, Hansel and Gretel: Soloists, and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Emmanuel Joël-Hornak (conductor), Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 18.2.2011 (SRT)
Exuberant Pappano Conducts a Sparkling Figaro
United Kingdom Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Royal Opera. Conductor: Antonio Pappano. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 17.2.2012. (JPr)
Vacuous Don Giovanni Production at ROH
United Kingdom Mozart: Don Giovanni, Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Constantinos Carydis (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 16.2.2012 (MB)
Met’s Traditional Götterdämmerung Boasts a Strong Cast
United States Met Live in HD 2011/12, Wagner, Götterdämmerung: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York, conducted by Fabio Luisi. Produced by Robert Lepage, directed for TV by Gary Halvorson and broadcast to the Renoir Cinema, London, 11.2.2012. (JPr)
Creepy Bartok and Swinging Bernstein in Stockholm
Sweden Bartok, Bernstein: Soloists, orchestra of the Stockholm Royal Opera. Gregor Bühl (conductor). Stockholm Royal Opera. 4.2.2012 (Premiere) (GF)