First-rate Dublin concert of Dessner and Stravinsky featuring great playing from the soloists and the NSO

IrelandIreland Bryce Dessner, Stravinsky: Bryce Dessner and David Chalmin (guitars), Katia and Marielle Labèque (pianos), National Symphony Orchestra / André de Ridder (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 11.4.2025. (RB)

André de Ridder conducts pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque and the NSO in Bryce Dessner’s Concerto for Two Pianos

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Intriguing programme of contemporary works performed with flair by Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Distant Plains: Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble (Aisling Agnew [flute], Sarah Watts [clarinet], David McCann [cello], Daniel Browell [piano], Michael Trainor [violin] / Matthew Lynch [conductor]. Harty Room, Queen’s University, Belfast, 13.12.2024. (RB)

Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble

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Outstanding Wexford Festival Opera revival of a ‘let’s put on an opera’ Donizetti rarity

IrelandIreland Wexford Festival Opera 2024 [3] – Donizetti, Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Danila Grassi (conductor). O’Reilly Theatre, Wexford, 25.10.2024. (RB)

Wexford Festival Opera’s Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali © Patricio Cassinoni

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Wexford Festival Opera makes a strong case for Stanford’s The Critic

IrelandIreland Wexford Festival Opera 2024 [2] – Stanford, The Critic: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford National Opera / Ciarán McAuley (conductor), O’Reilly Theatre Wexford, 24.10.2024. (RB)

[l-r] Arthur Riordan (Mr Sneer), Mark Lambert (Mr Puff), Hannah O’Brien in The Critic © Patricio Cassinoni

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Fine Wexford Festival Opera cast for Mascagni’s Le maschere, but the opera itself is unconvincing

IrelandIreland Wexford Opera Festival 2024 [1] – Mascagni, Le maschere: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Francesco Cilluffo (conductor). O’Reilly Theatre, Wexford, 23.10.2024 (RB)

Ioana Constantin Pipelea (Colombina), Gillen Munguia (Brighella), Andrew Morstein (Florindo), and Lavinia Bini (Rosaura) in WFO’s Le maschere © Patricio Cassinoni

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