SINCE 1999 A LIVE REVIEW SITE FOR OPERA, BALLET, CONCERTS, BROADCASTS, AND THEATRE
United States Bizet, Carmen: Soloists Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Daniele Rustioni (conductor). Transmitted Live in HD (directed by Gary Halvorson) from New York to the Avenue Cinema, Belfast. 27.1.2024. (RB)
United Kingdom Stanford, Requiem, Op.63: Mary McCabe (soprano), Cicely Hé (mezzo-soprano), Aaron O’Hare (tenor), Brendan Collins (baritone), Belfast Philharmonic Choir, Ulster Orchestra / James Grossmith (conductor), Ulster Hall, Belfast, 5.11.2023. (RB)
Ireland Wexford Festival Opera 2023 [3] – Marco Tutino, La Ciociara: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Opera Festival / Francesco Cilluffo (conductor), O’Reilly Theatre, National Opera House, Wexford 2.11.2023. (RB)
Ireland Wexford Opera Festival 2023 [1] – Donizetti’s Zoraida di Granata: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Diego Ceretta (conductor). O’Reilly Theatre, National Opera House, Wexford, Ireland, 31.10.2023. (RB)
Italian pianist Sandro Russo talks to Robert Beattie
Chetham’s Music School in central Manchester run an International Piano Summer School every year for pianists of varying levels of ability including talented students, teachers and adult amateur pianists. As an enthusiastic amateur pianist, I decided to enrol on the course myself earlier this year. There were many distinguished professional pianists on the course teaching students and giving masterclasses. In the evening a number of the teachers gave concerts in Chetham’s Stoller Hall. It was amazing to hear such a wide and varied range of demanding repertoire being performed to such a high level.
I was struck by one concert, in particular, by the Italian pianist, Sandro Russo. Sandro performed all twelve of Liszt’s Transcendental Études and his performance was deservedly greeted with a standing ovation.
United Kingdom Clandeboye Festival 2023 [2] – Brahms, Schubert, Liszt: Barry Douglas (piano). Clandeboye Estate, Bangor, Northern Ireland, 24.8.2023. (RB)
United Kingdom Clandeboye Festival 2023 [1] – Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven: Barry Douglas (piano), Cathal Breslin (piano), Richard Watkins (French horn), Dmitry Sitkovetsky (violin), Ed Creedon (viola), Aoife Magee (viola), Aoife Burke (cello). Clandeboye Estate, Bangor, Northern Ireland, 23.8.2023. (RB)
United Kingdom Nieuwe Noten: Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble (Aisling Agnew [flute], David McCann [cello], Daniel Browell [piano], Fie Schouten [clarinet], Joanne Quigley McParland and Roban Harron [violin]) / Sinead Hayes (conductor). Harty Room, Queens University, Belfast, 16.6.2023. (RB)
