Germany Verdi, Macbeth: Soloists, Chorus, Extra chorus and Extras of Theater Bremen, Bremer Philharmoniker / Stefan Klingele (conductor). Theater Bremen, 15.3.2024. (DMD)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
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)
Our attitudes to death are dissected by Sarah Angliss’ Giant ‘event’ at the Linbury Theatre
United Kingdom Sarah Angliss, Giant: Soloists, Stephen Hiscock (percussion), Reiko Ichise (viola da gamba), Olwen Foulkes (recorder), Nicola Hicks (viola), Tiaho Soares Silva, Amalia Young (violins) / Ben Smith (conductor/harpsichord). Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 12.3.2024. (CC)
A fine revival of David Alden’s thought-provoking Jenůfa at English National Opera
United Kingdom Janáček, Jenůfa: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Keri-Lynn Wilson (conductor). London Coliseum, 13.3.2024. (JR)
Bavarian State Opera’s new production of The Passenger
Germany Weinberg, The Passenger (Die Passagierin): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayerische Staatsoper / Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Nationaltheater, Munich, 9.2.2024. (ALL)
Smetana’s wacky village comedy The Kiss gets an exhilarating performance in Ostrava’s celebratory festival
Czech Republic Smetana, The Kiss (Hubička): Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre /Marek Šedivý (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 7.3.2024. (GT)
Smetana’s The Two Widows in Ostrava celebrates the 200th anniversary in magnificent style
Czech Republic Smetana, The Two Widows (Dvě vdovy): Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Marek Šedivý (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 6.3.2024. (GT)