UK Opera

All opera reviews from UK sources

LPO’s Wozzeck loses its core power because of Shagalov’s slideshow and Gardner’s rushing

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Multitudes … Wozzeck: Wretches Like Us: Soloists, London Voices; Tiffin Boys’ Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor). Projections by Ilya Shagalov. Royal Festival Hall, London, 25.4.2026. (CC)

Edward Gardner conducts Annette Dasch (Marie), Stéphane Degout (Wozzeck) and the LPO © Pete Woodhead

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Covent Garden’s indestructible The Magic Flute powers on

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Mozart, The Magic Flute: Soloists, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Marie Jacquot (conductor). Recorded (directed by Rhodri Huw) at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on 20.10.2025 and viewed at Cineworld Newport, Isle of Wight, 21.4.2026. (DH)

Huw Montague Rendall (Papageno) and Amitai Pati (Tamino) © Johan Persson

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English Touring Opera’s sparkling The Gondoliers is an utter joy from start to finish

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Gilbert & Sullivan, The Gondoliers: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English Touring Opera / Jack Ridley (conductor). Hackney Empire, London, 11.4.2026. (JR)

Phil Wilcox (Duke of Plaza-Toro), Lauren Young (Duchess of Plaza-Toro) and Kelli-Ann Masterson (Casilda) © Richard Hubert Smith

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Kosky’s oddly staged Siegfried disappoints though Pappano and his orchestra are on top form

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Wagner, Siegfried: Soloists, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Peter Jones) from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 31.3.2026 and viewed at the Chelmsford Theatre, Essex, 5.4.2026. (JPr)

Soloman Howard (Fafner) and Andreas Schager (Siegfried) in Act II © The Royal Opera/Monika Rittershaus

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