United Kingdom Mozart, Hummel, Shostakovich: Alison Balsom (trumpet), Gabriela Montero (piano), Zurich Chamber Orchestra, Willi Zimmermann (concertmaster), Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 4.12.2016 (SRT)
This Week’s Review
Refined Mozart and Impressive Mahler with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Pianist Haochen Zhang
Singapore Mozart, Mahler: Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Lan Shui (conductor), Zhang Haochen (piano), Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, 2.12.2016. (RP)
Two Gripping Evocations of the Seasons
United States Vivaldi, Piazzolla: Emily Cornelius (violin), Vivek Jayaraman (violin), Solomon Liang (violin), Rachel Sandman (violin), Canton Symphony Orchestra / Gerhardt Zimmermann (conductor), Umstattd Hall, Canton, Ohio, 19.11.2016. (TW)
Conscientious Sibelius and Variable Rachmaninoff from Anu Tali and Alexey Yemtsov
Canada Santa Ana, Rachmaninoff, Sibelius: Alexey Yemtsov (piano), Vancouver Symphony Orchestra / Anu Tali (conductor), Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, 26.11.2016. (GN)
Little and Watkins bring Warmth and Precision to Unjustly Slighted British Works
United Kingdom Walton, Elgar, Delius: Tasmin Little (violin), Paul Watkins (cello), Neal Davies (bass), BBC National Chorus of Wales, members of Bristol Choral Society, BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Martyn Brabbins (conductor). St David’s Hall, Cardiff, 1.12.2016. (PCG)
La finta giardiniera Benefits from an Excellent Ensemble Approach
United Kingdom Mozart, La finta giardiniera: Soloists, Royal College of Music of Opera Orchestra, Michael Rosewell (conductor). Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, London, 28.11.2016. (MB)
WNO’s Current Macbeth Compares Poorly with Other Verdi Productions over Past 50 Years
United Kingdom Verdi, Macbeth: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera / Andriy Yurkevych (conductor), Venue Cymru (North Wales Theatre), Llandudno, 24.11.2016. (RJF)
WNO’s Kiss Me, Kate Receives an Enthusiastic Reception in North Wales
United Kingdom Cole Porter, Kiss Me, Kate: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera /Gareth Jones (conductor), Venue Cymru (North Wales Theatre), Llandudno, 24.11.2016. (RJF)
(c) Richard Hubert Smith