Germany Schoenberg, R. Strauss, Wagner: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Daniele Gatti (conductor). Philharmonie Berlin, 2.2.2024. (MB)
Outstanding performances by Gatti and the Berlin Philharmonic in music of explicit transfiguration
Berlin
George Benjamin’s Written on Skin is ably revived and given a commanding performance in Berlin
Germany Benjamin, Written on Skin: Soloists, Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper / Marc Albrecht (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 1.2.2024. (MB)
An outstanding celebration of Schoenberg by Kirill Petrenko and the Berlin Philharmonic
Germany Schoenberg: Soloists, Berlin Radio Chorus (chorus director: Gijs Leenaars), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Kirill Petrenko (conductor). Philharmonie Berlin, 25.1.2024. (MB)
Orchestral and vocal riches as Daphne is revived at Berlin’s Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Germany Richard Strauss, Daphne: Soloists, Staatsopernchor Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin / Thomas Guggeis (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 20.1.2024. (MB)
Così fan tutte at the Komische Oper Berlin is a true ensemble performance in every respect
Germany Mozart, Così fan tutte: Soloists, Choral Soloists (director: Jean-Christophe Charron) and Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin / Erina Yashima (conductor). Schillertheater, Berlin, 14.1.2024. (MB)
An excellent performance of Langgaard’s Antikrist but the work itself is at best bewildering
Germany Langgaard, Antikrist: Soloists, Chorus, Opera-Ballet, and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / Hermann Bäumer (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 13.1.2024. (MB)
Kirill Petrenko and the Berlin Philharmonic usher in 2024 with some memorable Wagner
Germany Wagner, Berliner Phiharmoniker Silvesterkonzert: Vida Miknevičiūtė (soprano), Jonas Kaufmann (tenor), Tobias Kehrer (bass), Berliner Philharmoniker / Kirill Petrenko (conductor). Directed by Hannah Dorn and livestreamed on the Digital Concert Hall from the Philharmonie Berlin, 31.12.2023, and now archived. (JPr)
Fine singing but desultory conducting in Die Zauberflöte at Berlin’s Deutsche Oper
Germany Mozart, Die Zauberflöte: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / Giulio Cilona (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 11.1.2024. (MB)
