Germany Handel, Messiah: Soloists, Choral Soloists and Project Chorus of the Komische Oper, Orchestra of the Komische Oper / George Petrou (conductor). Hangar 4, Tempelhof Airport, Berlin, 21.9.2024. (MB)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Eugene Onegin is another triumph for Northern Ireland Opera
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Northern Ireland Opera / Dominic Limburg (conductor). Grand Opera House, Belfast, 17.9.2024. (RB)
Mesmerising unity in diversity in Hannover’s Satyagraha
Germany Glass, Satyagraha: Soloists, Chorus and Extras of Staatsoper Hannover, Niedersächsisches Staatsorchester Hannover / Masaru Kumakura (conductor). Staatsoper Hannover, 8.9.2024. (DMD)
Ariadne auf Naxos is presented in an unusual and highly innovative form by Iván Fischer in Budapest
Hungary R. Strauss: Le Bourgeois gentilhomme (orchestral suite) Op.60-IIIa, Ariadne auf Naxos: Soloists, Budapest Festival Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor), Müpa Budapest, 8.9.2024. (AK)
The Lyric Opera of Chicago season opens with a compelling Rigoletto
United States Verdi, Rigoletto: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Lyric Opera of Chicago / Enrique Mazzola (conductor). Civic Opera House, Chicago, 14.9.2024. (JLZ)
Saffron Opera Group’s Meistersinger for its 10th anniversary was a triumph over adversity
United Kingdom Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Soloists, Saffron Opera Group Chorus (chorus director: James Davey), Saffron Opera Group Orchestra / Michael Thorne (conductor). Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden, Essex, 15.9.2024. (JPr)
San Francisco Opera’s The Handmaid’s Tale could not be timelier, even if the music feels dated
United States Poul Ruders, The Handmaid’s Tale: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Karen Kamensek (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 14.9.2024. (HS)
Siobhan Stagg steps in as Susanna and is the undoubted star of David McVicar’s Marriage of Figaro revival
United Kingdom Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Royal Opera / Julia Jones (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Rhodri Huw) to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, from Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 10.9.2024. (JPr)