Chris Kettle

Porgy and Bess Reimagined: outstanding Gershwin at the Cumbria Opera Festival

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [3] – Gershwin, Porgy and Bess Reimagined: Venetia Iga (alto), Michael Muoneke (tenor), Kezia Abouma (piano), Nathan Dawkins (double bass), Noah Ojumu (drums), Joe Davies, Alistair Burton (arrangers). Kendal Town Hall, 27.8.2025. (CK)

Venetia Iga rehearsing for Porgy and Bess Reimagined © Chris Tribble

Read more

Cumbria Opera Festival’s Opera by Candlelight showcases young local talent alongside established classics

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [2] – Various, Opera by Candlelight: Ellen Mawhinney (soprano), Jamie Formoy (tenor), Chris Pulleyn (piano). St John’s Church, Keswick, 26.8.2025. (CK)

Cumbria Opera Festival 2025: Opera by Candlelight © Joe Davies

Read more

A sparkling The Marriage of Figaro from the Cumbria Opera Festival 2025

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [1] – Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro: Soloists, Chorus; Jessica Meakin, Julian Cann (violins), Hannah Borlase (viola), Daniel Crompton (cello), Hannah Gillingham (flute), Sarah Davies (oboe), William Hammond (clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Alistair Burton (harpsichord continuo) / Melvin Tay (conductor). Penrith Methodist Church, 23.8.2025. (CK)

The Marriage of Figaro at the Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 © Chris Tribble

Read more

Modified rapture: Delius’s A Mass of Life at the BBC Proms

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [17] – Delius: Jennifer Davis (soprano), Claudia Huckle (mezzo-soprano), David Butt Philip (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), BBC Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sir Mark Elder (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 18.8.2025. (CK)

Sir Mark Elder conducts A Mass of Life at the BBC Proms 2025 © Chris Christodoulou/BBC

Read more

Enigmatic Boulez, dramatic early Mahler at the BBC Proms

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [10] – Boulez, Mahler: Natalya Romaniw (soprano), Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Russell Thomas (tenor), James Newby (baritone), Carlos González Nápoles (treble), Malakai Bayoh (alto), Constanza Chorus, BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Hannu Lintu (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 4.8.2025. (CK)

[l-r] Natalya Romaniw (soprano), Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Hannu Lintu (conductor), Russell Thomas (tenor) and James Newby (baritone) © BBC/Andy Paradise

Read more

Beauty and Beachy Head: new music inspired by the South Downs from the Orchestra of Sound and Light

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Various: Loré Lixenberg (voice), Helen Whitaker (flute), Alison Hughes (clarinet & bass clarinet), Rachel Fryer (keyboards), Lee Westwood (electric guitar), Joe Giddey (cello), Ed Hughes (director). Towner Gallery, Eastbourne, 13.7.2025. (CK)

Read more

Excitement and emotion from Nicholas McCarthy and Mark Wigglesworth’s BSO at the Proms

by

United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [1] – Shostakovich, Ravel, Walton: Nicholas McCarthy (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 20.7.2025. (CK)

Pianist Nicholas McCarthy plays Ravel at the BBC Proms 2025 © Chris Christodoulou/BBC

Read more