United Kingdom Bach: Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Stephanie Gonley, Martin Burgess (violins), Michael Cox (flute), Steven Devine (harpsichord), Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Hall One, Kings Place, London, 22.2.2013 (MB)
Mark Berry
Richly Rewarding Fare from the Takács Quartet
United Kingdom Brahms and Haydn: Takács Quartet (Edward Dusinberre, Károly Schranz (violins), Geraldine Walther (viola), András Fejér (cello)), Lawrence Power (viola). Wigmore Hall, London, 20.2.2013 (MB)
Mastery from the Jerusalem Quartet
United Kingdom Wolf, Mozart, Smetana:Jerusalem Quartet (Alexander Pavlovsky, Sergei Bressler (violins), Ori Kam (viola), Kyril Zlotnikov (cello)). Wigmore Hall, London, 16.2.2013 (MB)
Copley’s Boheme Continues to Satisfy 40 Years On
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Alexander Joel (conductor), Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 16.2.2013 (MB)
Great Singing in ENO’s Monstrously Camp Médée
United Kingdom Charpentier, Médée: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the English National Opera, Christian Curnyn (conductor). The Coliseum, London, 15.3.2013 (MB)
Haitink and the LSO: Surprisingly Inconsistent but Much to Admire
United Kingdom Britten, Mozart, and Beethoven: Maria João Pires (piano), London Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 12.2.2013 (MB)
Excellent Eugene Onegin Let Down by Lacklustre Conducting
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: Renato Balsadonna), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Robin Ticciati (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 11.2.2013 (MB)
New Play Focuses on Britten and Rimbaud
United Kingdom Iain Burnside, Journeying Boys: Royal College of Music Vocal Faculty. Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, London, 8.2.2013 (MB)