United Kingdom Weber, Der Freischütz (semi-staged): Soloists, accentus, Insula Orchestra / Laurence Equilbey (conductor), Barbican Hall, London, 4.11.2019. (CC)
Laurence Equilbey leads a marvellous performance of Der Freischütz
Colin Clarke
Fontanals-Simmons and Hoare are standouts in ENO’s The Mask of Orpheus though orchestra gets glitterball
United Kingdom Birtwistle, The Mask of Orpheus: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Martyn Brabbins & James Henshaw (conductors). Electronic music realised by Barry Anderson. London Coliseum, 29.10.2019. (CC)
Marta Fontanals-Simmons © Alastair Muir
Martyn Brabbins leads a wonderful performance of The Apostles
United Kingdom Elgar, The Apostles: Elizabeth Watts (soprano – The Angel Gabriel/The Blessed Virgin Mary), Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano – Mary Magdalene/Narrator 2), Allan Clayton (tenor – St John/Narrator 1), Roderick Williams (baritone – Jesus), David Stout (baritone – St Peter); Brindley Sherratt (bass – Judas), BBC Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra / Martyn Brabbins (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 26.10.2019. (CC)
Suk’s ‘Asrael’ Symphony proves to be an intense, unforgettable LSO experience
United Kingdom Czech Roots – Dvořák, Suk: Truls Mørk (cello), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir John Eliot Gardiner (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 24.10.2019. (CC)
Diabelli Variations to cherish despite Paul Lewis’s fine Brahms and chipper Haydn
United Kingdom Haydn, Brahms, Beethoven: Paul Lewis (piano), Royal Festival Hall, London, 16.10.2019. (CC)
CONDUCTOR HERVÉ NIQUET INTERVIEWED ABOUT GRÉTRY’S RICHARD, COEUR DE LION
Hervé Niquet discusses Grétry’s opera, Richard, Coeur de Lion with Colin Clarke
Opéra Versailles’s production of Grétry’s Richard, Coeur de Lion recently was a great success (review click here). The morning after the first performance of the run, I meet Hervé Niquet in an achingly cool hotel in Versailles. Open and friendly, he is an interviewer’s dream.
Admirable musical performances but an effortful new Don Pasquale production at Covent Garden
United Kingdom Donizetti, Don Pasquale: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Evelino Pidò (conductor). Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 14.10.2019. (CC)
Opéra Royal de Versailles’ revival of Grétry’s Richard Coeur de Lion is an unmissable and revelatory experience
France Grétry, Richard Coeur de Lion: Soloists, Ballet of Opéra Royal, Versailles; Chorus and Orchestra of Le Concert Spirituel / Hervé Niquet (conductor). Opéra Royal de Versailles, France, 10.10.2019. (CC)
