Finland Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande: Finnish National Opera, Mikko Franck (conductor), Helsinki, 9.4.2012 (GF)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Heritage Opera Gives Very Satisfying Account of Rigoletto
United Kingdom Verdi: Rigoletto: Heritage Opera, Jonathan Ellis (pianist/musical director), Preston Minster, 13.4.2012 (MC)
Breth and Barenboim’s Lulu a Travesty of Berg’s Opera
Germany Berg, Lulu: Soloists, Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim (conductor). Schiller Theater, Berlin, 9.4.2012 (MB)
Good Orchestral Playing in a Colourless Production of Manon
United States Massenet , Manon: Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York/Fabio Luisi (conductor), 7.4.2012 (CC)
Auber’s Bronze Horse Fails to Justify Wagner’s Esteem
Germany Auber, Le Cheval de bronze: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Komische Oper, Berlin, Maurizio Barbacini (conductor). Komische Oper, Berlin, 7.4.2012 (MB)
Rehabilitating Katerina: Graham Vick’s Lady Macbeth in Gothenburg
Sweden Shostakovich, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District: Gothenburg Opera, Finn Rosengren (conductor),Gothenburg, 24.3.2012 (NS)
Further Thoughts on the Mariinsky Opera’s Parsifal
United Kingdom Wagner, Parsifal: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Opera, Ex Cathedra, Valery Gergiev (conductor), Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 6.4.2012. (RJ)
Touring Barber of Seville Uplifts Despite Budget Restraints
United Kingdom Rossini, The Barber of Seville: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus of English Touring Opera, Timothy Carey (conductor), Theatre Royal, York, 3.4.2012 (JL)