Emma Rice’s #MeToo ENO Orpheus in the Underworld is bleached of all its inherent charm
12/10/2019
United Kingdom Offenbach, Orpheus in the Underworld: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Sian Edwards (conductor). London Coliseum, 11.10.2019. (JPr)
ENO’s Orpheus in the Underworld – On Mount Olympus (c) Clive Barda
With its parallels to today, ETO bring authentic Weill sounds and exciting music making to The Silver Lake
09/10/2019
United Kingdom Kurt Weill and Georg Kaiser, The Silver Lake (Der Silbersee): Soloists, Choir of Streetwise Opera and English Touring Opera Orchestra / James Holmes (conductor). Hackney Empire, London, 7.10.2019. (AK)
English Touring Opera’s The Silver Lake (c) Richard Hubert Smith
Everything falls into place in WNO’s superb revival of The Cunning Little Vixen
08/10/2019
United Kingdom Janáĉek, The Cunning Little Vixen (sung in Czech): Soloists, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera / Tomáš Hanus (conductor). Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 5.10.2019. (GPu)
Aiofe Miskelly (left, Vixen) and Lucia Cervoni (right, Fox) (c) Richard Hubert Smith
Sakari Oramo reveals the gorgeous colours of William Alwyn’s Miss Julie
04/10/2019
United Kingdom Alwyn, Miss Julie: Soloists, BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor), Kenneth Richardson (director), Barbican Hall, London, 3.10.2019. (CS)
Anna Patalong (Miss Julie) and Benedict Nelson (Jean) (c) Tom Howard
Much to admire in ENOs staging of Orpheus and Eurydice
02/10/2019
United Kingdom Gluck, Orpheus and Eurydice (1774, Berlioz edition: sung in English): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Harry Bicket (conductor). London Coliseum, 1.10.2019. (CC)
Sarah Tynan as Eurydice, Alice Coote as Orpheus (c) Donald Cooper
WNO’s Rigoletto production now feels pointless and distracting, but is saved by its musical virtues.
01/10/2019
United Kingdom Verdi, Rigoletto: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera / Alexander Joel (conductor). Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 27.9.2019. (GPu)
Marina Monzó (Gilda) & David Junghoon Kim (Duke) (c) Richard Hubert Smith
For all of its cleverness, Barry’s The Intelligence Park leaves one unsatisfied
29/09/2019
United Kingdom Gerald Barry, The Intelligence Park: Soloists, London Sinfonietta / Jessica Cottis (conductor). The Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London, 28.9.2019. (CC)
Gerald Barry’s The Intelligence Park (c) Clive Barda
Virtuosity from DiDonato but Kosky’s Agrippina is puzzling and contradictory
25/09/2019
United Kingdom Handel, Agrippina: Soloists, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment / Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 23.9. 2019. (AK)
Joyce DiDonato (Agrippina) and Nerone (Franco Fagioli) (c) Bill Cooper
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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 
