United Kingdom Boulez, Messiaen, Ustvolskaya, Ligeti, and Benjamin: Ueli Wiget (piano), Ensemble Modern / George Benjamin (conductor). Roundhouse, Camden, London, 6.3.2019. (MB)
Mark Berry
The Royal Opera’s Così fan tutte Revival Marred by Ham-fisted Conducting and Production
United Kingdom Mozart, Così fan tutte: Soloists, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus director: William Spaulding) / Stefano Montanari (conductor). Royal Opera House, London, 25.1.2019. (MB)
Much to Relish in Trio Zimmermann’s Wigmore Hall Performances of Schoenberg and Bach
United Kingdom Schoenberg and Bach: Trio Zimmermann (Frank Peter Zimmermann [violin], Antoine Tamestit [viola], Christian Poltéra [cello]). Wigmore Hall, London, 23.2.2019. (MB)
The Barbican Acoustic Works Against Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra
United Kingdom Mozart, Larcher, and Mahler: Elisabeth Kulman (mezzo-soprano), Stuart Skelton (tenor), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 22.2.2019. (MB)
A Varied Diet of French Music from Simon Rattle and the LSO
United Kingdom Rameau, Ravel, Poulenc, and Jolas: Daniil Trifonov (piano), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 17.2.2019. (MB)
Fine Pianism and a Fascinatingly Diverse Programme from Jean-Efflam Bavouzet
United Kingdom Haydn, Schumann, Boulez, Ravel, and Prokofiev: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 10.2.2019. (MB)
A Superb Cast, Led by Amanda Majeski, for the Royal Opera’s Katya Kabanova
United Kingdom Janáček – Katya Kabanova: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus (chorus master: William Spaulding), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Edward Gardner (conductor). Royal Opera House, London, 9.2.2019. (MB)
Memorable Singing as Paris Opéra Stages Carsen’s Rusalka
France Dvořák, Rusalka: Soloists, Chorus of the Opéra national de Paris (chorus master: Alessandro di Stefano), Orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris / Susanna Mälkki (conductor). Opéra Bastille, Paris, 29.1.2019. (MB)
