Germany Elgar and Mussorgsky: Pinchas Zukerman (violin), Staatskapelle Berlin, Lahav Shani / (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 13.1.2020. (MB)
Lahav Shani impresses with the Staatskapelle Berlin
Mark Berry
A thrillingly ambitious recital by Igor Levit in Berlin
Germany Muffat, Rzewski, Kerll, and Busoni: Igor Levit (piano), Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 11.1.2020. (MB)
The Staatsoper Unter den Linden’s penetrating revival of Beat Furrer’s Violetter Schnee
Germany Beat Furrer, Violetter Schnee: Soloists, Vocalconsort Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin / Matthias Pintscher (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 10.1.2020. (MB)
Hänsel und Gretel is a lovely way to open the operatic year at Deutsche Oper
Germany Humperdinck, Hänsel und Gretel: Soloists, Children’s Chorus (chorus director: Christian Lindhorst) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin / Donald Runnicles (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 4.1.2020. (MB)
Barenboim leads a profound anticipation of the Berlin Beethoven 250th anniversary year
Germany Mozart and Beethoven: Elena Stikhina (soprano), Marina Prudenskaya (mezzo-soprano), Andreas Schager (tenor), René Pape (bass), Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus director: Martin Wright), Staatskapelle Berlin / Daniel Barenboim (piano & conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 31.12.2019. (MB)
Barenboim’s Beethoven: the most human of music gets the most human of performances in Berlin
Germany Beethoven: Daniel Barenboim (piano), Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 20.12.2019. (MB)
Komische Oper Berlin’s Semele is significantly greater than the sum of its considerable parts
Germany Handel, Semele: Soloists, Chorus (chorus director: David Cavelius) and Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin / Konrad Junghänel (conductor). Komische Oper, Berlin, 18.12.2019 (MB)
A wonderful concert from Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin
United Kingdom Schumann, Elgar, and Debussy: Elina Garanča (mezzo-soprano), Staatskapelle Berlin / Daniel Barenboim (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 16.12.2019. (MB)