Strong singing elsewhere in the Royal Opera’s Tannhäuser current revival compensates for the ailing main man

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Wagner, Tannhäuser (1875 version): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Sebastian Weigle (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1.2.2023. (CC)

Gerald Finley (Wolfram von Eschenbach) and Lisa Davidsen (Elisabeth) © Clive Barda

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Charpentier at Christmas: Les Arts Florissants’s beautiful, truly touching Barbican concert

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Charpentier at Christmas: Les Arts Florissants / William Christie (conductor) with Emmanuelle de Negri, Julie Roset (sopranos), Nicholas Scott (high tenor), Bastien Rimondi (tenor), Lisandro Abadie (bass-baritone). Barbican Hall, London, 19.12.2022. (CC)

Charpentier at Christmas: William Christie (conductor) © Mark Allan/Barbican

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Terrific, life-enhancing Kings Place performance from Anna Lapwood and choristers of Pembroke College

United KingdomUnited Kingdom A Ceremony of Carols: Esther Beyer (harp), Alex Macqueen (narrator), Girls’ Choir and Chapel Choir of Pembroke College / Anna Lapwood (conductor). Kings Place, London, 9.12.2022 (CC)

Girls’ Choir and Chapel Choir of Pembroke College with Anna Lapwood (centre)

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A fine overall lineup of soloists cannot solve the problems of this Christmas Festival Messiah

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Handel, Messiah, HWV 56 (1741): Mary Bevan (soprano), Anna Harvey (mezzo-soprano), Oliver Johnston (tenor), Jonathan Lemalu (bass), English Concerto Chorus, Goldsmiths Choral Union, Highgate Choral Society, Philharmonia Orchestra / Brian Wright (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 4.12.2022. (CC)

Handel’s Messiah previously at the Royal Festival Hall

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