At Croydon’s Ashcroft Playhouse: ‘Who’s Afraid of Angela’s Ashes – The Musical?’
07/10/2019
United Kingdom Angela’s Ashes – The Musical (music and Lyrics by Adam Howell, book by Paul Hurt [based on a memoir of Frank McCourt]): Ensemble of Angela’s Ashes -The Musical and musicians / David Hayes (musical director). Ashcroft Playhouse, Fairfield Halls, Croydon, 5.10.2019. (JB)
Jacinta Whyte (Angela) (c) Pat Redmond
Benke Rydman fashions another hit with Gothenburg Opera’s Oliver!
02/10/2019
Sweden Lionel Bart, Oliver! (Lionel Bart [Lyrics and book] and a new Swedish translation by Ulricha Johnson): Soloists of Gothenburg Opera, ensemble and children’s ensemble, Gothenburg Opera Orchestra / Bjorn Dobbelaere (conductor), Gothenburg Opera, 27.9.2019. (NS)
Fagin (David Lundqvist, centre) with his gang (c) Lennart Sjöberg
Hulks Ahoy as CODA’s The Producers reopens the Ashcroft Playhouse
23/09/2019
United Kingdom Mel Brooks, The Producers (lyrics and music by Brooks and adapted by Brooks and Thomas Meehan from the 1967 film): Ensembles and musicians of CODA (Croydon Operatic and Dramatic Association) / Joshua Hickin (musical director and arranger). Ashcroft Playhouse at Fairfield Halls, Croydon. 20.9.2019. (JB)
Puttin’ on the Ritz in Blackpool
13/07/2019
United Kingdom Various composers, Puttin’ on the Ritz: Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 6.7.2019. (MC)
Company of Puttin’ on the Ritz
Renée Fleming Headlines The Light in the Piazza Which Proves To Be a Flawed Italian Travelogue
20/06/2019
United Kingdom The Light in the Piazza (book by Craig Lucas, lyrics and music by Adam Guettel): Company of The Light in the Piazza, Orchestra of Opera North / Kimberley Grigsby (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 19.6.2019. (JPr)
The Light in the Piazza (c) Dewynters London
Bernstein’s Masterwork Comes Alive in Chicago
03/06/2019
United States Bernstein, West Side Story: Soloists, Orchestra of Lyric Opera of Chicago / James Lowe (conductor). Civic Opera House, Chicago. 18.5.19 (JLZ)
Man of La Mancha is Staged, Acted and Sung Generally Well but Was Not Worth Reviving
01/05/2019
United Kingdom Man of La Mancha (Dale Wasserman [book], Joe Darion [lyrics] and Mitch Leigh [music]): Company of Man of La Mancha, English National Opera Orchestra / David White (conductor). London Coliseum, 30.4.2019. (JPr)
Nicholas Lyndhurst, Peter Polycarpou & Kelsey Grammer (c) Manuel Harlan
Steven Skybell’s Moving Tevye at the Heart of Broadway’s Wonderful Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof
22/02/2019
United States Fiddler on the Roof (Music by Jerry Bock, Book by Joseph Stein, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick): The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene / Zalmen Mlotek (conductor), Stage 42, New York, 20.2.2019. (RP)
Nick Raynor, Evan Mayer, Jon Quiggley & James Monroe Števko in The Bottle Dance
(c) Matthew Murphy
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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. 
Mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre performs arias like a dove from heaven 
Carlos Alvarez makes the ideal Iago, and he toys with his victims like a cat with mice 
A heart attack on the rostrum couldn't stop him becoming the world's greatest living condu 
