Mark Berry

Excellent cast let down by lifeless conducting and a confusing Salzburg production of Les contes d’Hoffmann

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AustriaAustria Salzburg Festival 2024 [8] – Offenbach, Les contes d’Hoffmann: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Marc Minkowski (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 24.8.2024. (MB)

Les contes d’Hoffmann: Benjamin Bernheim (Hoffmann), Kate Lindsey (Muse/Nicklausse) and Kathryn Lewek (Stella) © SF/Monika Rittershaus

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Disappointing Strauss from Grigorian, Dudamel and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

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AustriaAustria Salzburg Festival 2024 [7] – R. Strauss: Asmik Grigorian (soprano), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Gustavo Dudamel (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 24.8.2024 (MB)

Soprano Asmik Grigorian with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra © SF/Marco Borrelli

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Manfred Honeck brings the Pittsburgh Symphony to Salzburg

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AustriaAustria Salzburg Festival 2024 [6] – Rachmaninov and Mahler: Yefim Bronfman (piano), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra / Manfred Honeck (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 22.8.2024. (MB)

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck © SF/Marco Borrelli

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Much fine singing to admire in the Tannhäuser revival at Bayreuth

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GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2024 [4] – Wagner, Tannhäuser: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Nathalie Stutzmann (conductor). Festspielhaus, Bayreuth, 4.8.2023. (MB)

Bayreuther Festspiele – Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg Act I © BF / Enrico Nawrath

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Fine singing but problematic conducting as Der fliegende Holländer is revived at Bayreuth

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GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2024 [2] – Wagner, Der fliegende Holländer: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Oksana Lyniv (conductor). Festspielhaus, Bayreuth, 1.8.2024. (MB)

Der fliegende Holländer Act II: Elisabeth Teige (Senta) and Eric Cutler (Erik) © Enrico Nawrath

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