At The Lowry, Opera North’s captivating Ruddigore exceeded already high expectations

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Opera North 2024 [2] – Gilbert & Sullivan, Ruddigore (or The Witch’s Curse): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North / Anthony Kraus (conductor). Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, 14.11.2024. (MC)

Dominic Sedgwick (Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd) and Steven Page (Sir Roderic Murgatroyd) © Richard H Smith

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Opera North’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is superb entertainment

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Opera North 2024 [1] – Britten, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Orchestra of Opera North / Garry Walker (conductor). Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, 13.11.2024. (MC)

Peter Kirk (Lysander), Siân Griffiths (Hermia), Camilla Harris (Helena), and James Newby (Demetrius) © Richard H Smith

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Jonathan Dove’s The Monster in the Maze is a finely written opera that just happens to be for a community

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Music in the Round – Dove (arr. Dove/Lyon), The Monster in the Maze: Music Makers of Sheffield (including Ensemble 360, Consone Quartet, Bridge Ensemble, Sheffield Hub Senior Strings, Sheffield Youth Choirs and singers of Sheffield) / John Lyon (conductor). Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 2.4.2024. (CC)

The Monster in the Maze at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre © Andy Brown

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Outstanding Wexford Festival Opera revival of a ‘let’s put on an opera’ Donizetti rarity

IrelandIreland Wexford Festival Opera 2024 [3] – Donizetti, Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Danila Grassi (conductor). O’Reilly Theatre, Wexford, 25.10.2024. (RB)

Wexford Festival Opera’s Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali © Patricio Cassinoni

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