United Kingdom Wagner, Die Walküre (The Valkyrie): Soloists, Orchestra of the English National Opera / Martyn Brabbins (conductor). London Coliseum, 19.11.2021. (MB)
ENO’s The Valkyrie is hobbled by a half-hearted production
UK Opera
All opera reviews from UK sources
The Royal Opera’s Macbeth captures the spirit of Shakespeare’s tragedy, funnelled through Verdi’s genius
United Kingdom Verdi, Macbeth: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Daniele Rustioni (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 16.11.2021. (CC)
British politics gets a knocking in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Utopia, Limited from Scottish Opera
United Kingdom Gilbert and Sullivan, Utopia, Limited: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Derek Clark (conductor). Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, 5.11.2021. (RJW)
Venetian excellence in Edinburgh from Scottish Opera in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers
United Kingdom Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Derek Clark (conductor). Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, 4.11.2021. (RJW)
Opera Holland Park’s new film of William Walton’s The Bear is thoroughly entertaining
United Kingdom Walton, The Bear: Soloists, Members of City of London Sinfonia (Fran Hills [piano], Ruth Funnell [violin], Christopher Rawley [bassoon], Stephanie Beck [harp] and Glyn Matthews [percussion]) / John Andrews (conductor). Filmed at Stone House during April 2020 and streaming from 9 to 13.11.2021 (click here). (JPr)
HGO’s vibrant, glowing Le nozze di Figaro is proof positive of the eternal durability of Mozart’s masterpiece
United Kingdom Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro: Soloists; Chamber Orchestra of Hampstead Garden Opera / Thomas Payne (conductor). Jacksons Lane Theatre, Highgate, London, 5.11.2021. (CC)
Superb singing and theatrical audacity from Theatre of Sound delivers a most gripping Bluebeard’s Castle
United Kingdom Bartók, Bluebeard’s Castle: Soloists of London Sinfonietta / Stephen Higgins (conductor). Theatre of Sound at Stone Nest, London, 6.11.2021. (KMcD)
Puritans stay away: this ENO HMS Pinafore is pure unadulterated fun
United Kingdom Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Chris Hopkins (conductor). London Coliseum, 29.10.2021. (JB)
