Fine singing but Verdi’s seminal musical masterpiece deserves better than this WNO Rigoletto
04/11/2019
United Kingdom Verdi, Rigoletto: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera / Alexander Joel (conductor). Theatre Cymru, Llandudno, 30.10.2019. (RJF)
Alastair Moore (Marullo) and Mark S. Doss (Rigoletto) (c) Richard Hubert Smith
Tomáš Hanus’s conducting is a highlight of WNO’s new Carmen in Llandudno
04/11/2019
United Kingdom Bizet, Carmen: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera / Tomáš Hanus (conductor). Theatre Cymru, Llandudno, 29.10.2019. (RJF)
Benjamin Bevan, Harriet Eyley, Virginie Verrez, Joe Roche & Angela Simkin in Carmen
(c) Bill Cooper
Jonathan Miller’s The Mikado returns once more to ENO but is showing its age
04/11/2019
United Kingdom Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Chris Hopkins (conductor). London Coliseum, 2.11.2019. (JPr)
Sir John Tomlinson (The Mikado) (c) Genevieve Girling
Fontanals-Simmons and Hoare are standouts in ENO’s The Mask of Orpheus though orchestra gets glitterball
30/10/2019
United Kingdom Birtwistle, The Mask of Orpheus: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Martyn Brabbins & James Henshaw (conductors). Electronic music realised by Barry Anderson. London Coliseum, 29.10.2019. (CC)
Peter Hoare, Claron McFadden and
Marta Fontanals-Simmons © Alastair Muir
A revival of its popular Tosca opens Scottish Opera’s season in Glasgow magnificently
29/10/2019
United Kingdom Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Stuart Stratford (conductor). Theatre Royal Glasgow, 26.10.2019. (GT)
End of Act I of Scottish Opera’s Tosca (c) Peter Glossop
Olga Peretyatko steals Don Pasquale’s money and the show in Michieletto’s new Covent Garden production
26/10/2019
United Kingdom Donizetti, Don Pasquale: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Evelino Pidò (conductor). Directed for the screen by Pati Marr and broadcast live to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 24.10.2019. (JPr)
Olga Peretyatko (Norina) and Bryn Terfel (Don Pasquale) (c) Clive Barda
Mastersingers and the Rehearsal Orchestra near the Wagnerian summit with Siegfried Act III
22/10/2019
United Kingdom Wagner, Siegfried Act III: Soloists, Rehearsal Orchestra / Anthony Legge (conductor), Henry Wood Hall, London, 20.10.2019. (JPr)
Siegfried Act III rehearsal at Henry Wood Hall (c) Mastersingers
Admirable musical performances but an effortful new Don Pasquale production at Covent Garden
16/10/2019
United Kingdom Donizetti, Don Pasquale: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Evelino Pidò (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 14.10.2019. (CC)
Bryn Terfel (Don Pasquale) and Olga Peretyatko (Norina) (c) Clive Barda
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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. [...]No items.
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. 
