Bulgaria Fr Kiril Popov, The Hermit of Rila: Soloists, Children’s Vocal and Theatre Formation (Dimitar Kostantsaliev, director), Chorus and Orchestra of Sofia Opera / Metropolitan of Stara Zagora Kyprian (conductor). Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Sofia, 26.7.2024. (GT)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Christian Thielemann leads a fine concert performance of Capriccio in Salzburg
Austria Salzburg Festival 2024 [4] – R. Strauss, Capriccio: Soloists, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 26.7.2024. (MB)
Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson’s new Bayreuth Tristan lacks coherence, dramatic cogency and better singing
Germany Bayreuth Festival 2024 [1] – Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Recorded live (directed by Michael Beyer) at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, 25.7.2024. (JPr)
Subtle nuances abound in Brigitte Fassbender’s production of Die Walküre for Tiroler Festspiele Erl
Germany Tiroler Festspiele Erl – Wagner, Die Walküre: Soloists and orchestra of the Tyrolean Festival Erl / Erik Nielsen (conductor). Passionsspielhaus Erl, 24.7.2024. (DMD)
Fine performances of two twentieth-century Italian masterworks in Salzburg
Austria Salzburg Festival 2024 [3] – Nono and Dallapiccola: Soloists, Bavarian Radio Chorus (chorus director: Peter Dijkstra), Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Maxime Pascal (conductor). Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, 25.7.2024. (MB)
Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio at Marvão Castle: a cautionary tale for modern times
Portugal Marvão International Music Festival [2] – Mozart, Die Entführung aus dem Serail: Soloists, Cologne Chamber Orchestra / Christoph Poppen (conductor). Castelo de Marvão, Portugal, 21.7.2024. (LV)
Cleverly staged and colourful open-air touring production of Nabucco reaches Bremen
Germany Verdi, Nabucco: Soloists, Chorus and Extras of Festspieloper Prag. Prager Festspielorchester / Martin Doubravský (conductor). Seebühne Bremen, 22.7.2024. (DM-D)
A sparkling Rossini rarity with outstanding young singers at Läckö Castle
Sweden Rossini, La Gazzetta: Soloists of Läckö Slottsopera, Läckö Chamber Orchestra / Simon Kim Phipps (conductor). Läckö Castle courtyard, 20.7.2024. (NS)