France R. Schumann, La Nuit des Rois: Soloists, accentus, Insula / Laurence Equilbey (conductor). Auditorium Patrick Devedjian, La Seine Musicale, Paris, 15.5.2023. (CC)
The sheer imagination and expertise of Insula’s La Nuit des Rois is immense.
Colin Clarke
Mark Elder’s sure direction of Covent Garden’s Aida revival delivers real, spine-tingling grandeur
United Kingdom Verdi, Aida: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Sir Mark Elder (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 5.5.2023. (CC)
Bywater’s fine staging and Chevalier’s superb singing makes Symphony of Sorrowful Songs memorable
United Kingdom Górecki, Symphony of Sorrowful Songs (Symphony No.3, Op.36, 1976): Nicole Chevalier (soprano), Orchestra of English National Opera / Lidiya Yankovskaya (conductor). London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London, 3.5.2023. (CC)
Phenomenal Philharmonia concert conducted by Ryan Bancroft (absolutely a star in the making)
United Kingdom Sibelius, Beethoven, Nielsen: Sir Stephen Hough (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra / Ryan Bancroft (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 4.5.2023. (CC)
ENO’s Blue is a miss as an opera, but has top-flight singers and a conductor at the top of his game
United Kingdom Tesori, Blue: Soloists, Orchestra of English National Opera / Matthew Kofi Waldren (conductor). London Coliseum, 30.4.2023. (CC)
Pierre-Laurent Aimard’s remarkable recital at the QEH connects musical threads across centuries
United Kingdom Various, Piano Fantasies: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano). Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 8.4.2023. (CC)
Saariaho’s Innocence at Covent Garden is music of our time at its most powerful
United Kingdom Saariaho, Innocence (2018): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Susanna Mälkki (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 26.4.2023. (CC)
A seemingly perfect Brahms Gala featured the inimitable violin virtuoso Maxim Vengerov and guests
United Kingdom Brahms Gala: Maxim Vengerov (violin), Sandra Lied Haga (cello), students from the Royal College of Music, London, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra / Marios Papadopoulos (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 26.4.2023. (CC)
