Royal Opera’s revival of La bohème sees Puccini emerge triumphant at Covent Garden
22/01/2020
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Tiffin Boys’ Choir and Children’s Chorus, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Emmanuel Villaume (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. 21.1.2020. (CC)
Charles Castronovo (Rodolfo) & Sonya Yoncheva (Mimì) © Tristram Kenton
David Lang’s contemporary re-take on Fidelio fails to convince at the Barbican
13/01/2020
United Kingdom David Lang, prisoner of the state (European premiere): Soloists, BBC Singers, Students from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, BBC Symphony Orchestra / Ilan Volkov (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 11.1.2020. (CC)
Jarrett Ott (The Prisoner), Alan Oke (The Governor) Julie Mathevet (The Assistant)
(c) BBC/Mark Allan
The power of this performance is testament to the longevity of the Royal Opera’s La traviata
19/12/2019
United Kingdom Verdi, La traviata: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Daniel Oren (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 17.12.2019. (CC)
Liparit Avetisyan (Alfredo) & Hrachuhi Bassenz (Violetta)
(c) Catherine Ashmore
Kunde, Jaho, and Pappano make Warner’s Otello at Covent Garden show what great opera is all about
11/12/2019
United Kingdom Verdi, Otello: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. 9.12.2019. (CC)
Gregory Kunde (Otello) & Ermonela Jaho (Desdemona) (c) Catherine Ashmore
A compelling RNCM Carmélites performance of great energy and spirit with no shortage of talent
10/12/2019
United Kingdom Poulenc, Dialogues des Carmélites: Soloists, RNCM Opera Chorus and Orchestra / Andrew Greenwood (conductor). Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, 8.12.2019. (MC)
RNCM’s Dialogues des Carmélites (c) Robert Workman
Edward Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic’s rich, brooding, and tempestuous Peter Grimes
02/12/2019
United Kingdom Britten, Peter Grimes: Soloists, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Royal Northern College of Music Chorus, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm / Håkon Matti Skrede (chorus master), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 30.11.2019. (JPr)
Erin Wall (Ellen), Stuart Skelton (Peter Grimes) and Samuel Winter (John)
(c) Mark Allan/Southbank Centre
RCM’s singers brim with youthful vivacity and enthusiam in a fabulous Haydn Il mondo della luna
27/11/2019
United Kingdom Haydn, Il mondo della luna: Soloists, Chorus, Royal College of Music Opera Orchestra / Michael Rosewell (conductor). Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, Kensington, London, 25.11.2019. (CC)
Anna Cooper (Lisetta) in Il mondo della luna
(c) Chris Christodoulou
David McVicar’s Death in Venice has no new insights into Britten’s valedictory opera
22/11/2019
United Kingdom Britten, Death in Venice: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Richard Farnes (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 21.11.2019. (JPr)
Mark Padmore (Aschenbach) and Gerald Finley (Elderly Fop) © Catherine Ashmore
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This joyous set of Beethoven's sonatas takes its place among the very best. 
In its own way, the Seven Words of Christ is just as sublime as the Stabat Mater. 
This sensitive, dynamic recording is a joy, and may even constitute a revelation. 
The pair exhibits a refined style on these illuminating performances. 
A deeply affecting experience that ought to win the opera many new admirers. 
Composed in 1803, at a time when Beethoven was also writing his second symphony and his third piano 
This production has worked hard to cut the story's racist stereotypes 
Byzantine, Aramaic, and Coptic Christian traditions are melded along with songs and chants – some of 
While other venues closed up shop for the festive season, Wigmore Hall has flown the flag for top-qu 
After a few troubles, the German star regains control and delivers a brilliant performance 
