Germany Weinberg, The Passenger (Die Passagierin): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayerische Staatsoper / Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Nationaltheater, Munich, 9.2.2024. (ALL)
Bavarian State Opera’s new production of The Passenger
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
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)
By showing us war is cruel does little to improve Verdi’s uneven La forza del destino at the Met
United States Verdi, La forza del destino: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). A Live in HD broadcast (directed by Gary Halvorson) from New York’s Metropolitan Opera to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 9.3.2024. (JPr)
Roman Haubenstock-Ramati’s 1966 opera Amerika is a discovery worth the journey to Zurich
Switzerland Roman Haubenstock-Ramati, Amerika: Soloists, Dancers, Philharmonia Zurich / Gabriel Feltz (conductor). Zurich Opera, 9.3.2024. (MF)
WNO’s bold and innovative Death in Venice explores its ambiguous depths (and heights)
United Kingdom Britten, Death in Venice: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera / Leo Hussain (conductor), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 7.3.2024. (GPu)
Strength, precision and speed from NYCB, notably in Balanchine’s Duo Concertant
United Kingdom New York City Ballet: Sadler’s Wells, London, 7.3.2024. (JO’D)
Fine musical performance of a somewhat tired Deutsche Oper Berlin production of Parsifal
Germany Wagner, Parsifal: Soloists, Chorus, Men of the Extra Chorus, and Children’s Chorus of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Opern-Ballet, Statisterie, and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / Sir Donald Runnicles (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 9.3.2024. (MB)
