Germany Tchaikovsky, Pique Dame (The Queen of Spades): Soloists, Children’s Chorus (director: Christian Lindhorst), Chorus (director: Jeremy Bines), Statisterie, and Opernballet of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / Sebastian Weigle (conductor). Deutsche Oper Berlin, 20.3.2024. (MB)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Ballet Icons Gala 2024 at the London Coliseum was another intriguing blend of the classics and new work
United Kingdom Ballet Icons Gala 2024: Soloists, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Maria Seletskaja (conductor). London Coliseum, 17.3.2024. (JPr)
RNCM’s opera students can be justly proud of lavishing care and attention on Rossini’s The Silken Ladder
United Kingdom Rossini, La scala di seta (The Silken Ladder): Soloists and Orchestra of the RNCM / Wyn Davies (conductor). Theatre, RNCM, Manchester, 17.4.2023. (MC)
In a spell-binding performance, Smetana’s The Devil’s Wall in Ostrava proves to be a neglected masterwork
Czech Republic Smetana, The Devil’s Wall (Čertova stĕna): Soloists, Ballet, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Marek Šedivý (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 9.3.2024. (GT)
La Fille mal gardée fills Paris’s Palais Garnier with an unparalleled sense of happiness
France La Fille mal gardée: Paris Opera Ballet, Orchestra of the Paris National Opera / Philip Ellis (conductor). Palais Garnier, Paris. 15.3.2024. (JO’D)
Was potentially excellent singing marred by ‘smoking’ in Bremen’s Macbeth?
Germany Verdi, Macbeth: Soloists, Chorus, Extra chorus and Extras of Theater Bremen, Bremer Philharmoniker / Stefan Klingele (conductor). Theater Bremen, 15.3.2024. (DMD)
Smetana’s The Secret is a sparkling comedy packed with swift-moving action and brilliant singing in Ostrava
Czech Republic Smetana, The Secret (Tajemství): Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Jakub Klecker (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 8.3.2024. (GT)
A further revival of Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s Madama Butterfly is an exhilarating operatic evening
United Kingdom Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Kevin John Edusei (conductor). Royal Opera House, London, 14.3.2024. (MM-B)