France Festival d’Aix-en-Provence [4] – Gluck, Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride: Soloists, Le Choeur d’Astrée (chorus director: Richard Wilberforce), Le Concert d’Astrée, Emmanuelle Haïm (conductor). Grand Théâtre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, 11.7.2024 (MB)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Buxton’s new and first-rate Ernani production by Jamie Manton provided captivating drama
United Kingdom Buxton International Festival [3] – Verdi, Ernani: Soloists, BIF Chorus, Orchestra of Opera North / Adrian Kelly (conductor). Buxton International Festival, Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 10.7.2024. (MC)
Having caught up with Katie Mitchell’s Aix production, Pelléas will never quite be the same again
France Festival d’Aix-en-Provence [2] – Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: Benedict Kearns) and Orchestra of the Lyon Opera / Susanna Mälkki (conductor). Grand Théâtre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, 9.7.2024. (MB)
Longborough delivers a magical Ring to conclude five years of diligent planning
United Kingdom Longborough Festival Opera 2024 [1] – Wagner, Der Ring des Nibelungen: Soloists, Longborough Community Chorus, Longborough Festival Orchestra / Anthony Negus (conductor), Longborough, Cotswolds, 4, 5. 7 & 9.7.2024. (CP)
La tragédie de Carmen was a captivating evening of entertaining music theatre at Buxton
United Kingdom Bizet, La tragédie de Carmen (after Carmen by Bizet and Mérimée. Reimagined by Peter Brook using libretto by Jean-Claude Carrière and music score by Marius Constant): Soloists, Northern Chamber Orchestra / Iwan Davies (conductor). Buxton International Festival, Derbyshire, 9.7.2024. (MC)
Nicoletta Manni and Reece Clarke excel in MacMillan’s L’histoire de Manon at Milan’s La Scala
Italy Kenneth MacMillan’s L’histoire de Manon: Dancers and Orchestra of La Scala Theatre Ballet / Paul Connelly (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Stefania Grimaldi) from La Scala, Milan, 8.7.2024. (JPr)
This Aix-en-Provence production quietly, powerfully rethought and reimagined Madama Butterfly
France Festival d’Aix-en-Provence [1] – Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Soloists, Lyon Opera Chorus (chorus master: Benedict Kearns), Lyon Opera Orchestra / Daniele Rustoni (conductor). Théâtre de l’Archeveché, Aix-en-Provence, 8.7.2024. (MB)
An uplifting, small-scale production of The Boatswain’s Mate at Buxton was a real treat
United Kingdom Buxton International Festival 2024 [1] – Ethel Smyth, The Boatswain’s Mate: Soloists, Chorus and Instrumental Trio / Rebecca Warren (direction). Buxton International Festival, Pavilion Arts Centre, Derbyshire, 8.7.2024. (MC)