Germany Smetana, Prokofiev, Dvořák: Münchner Symphoniker / Francesco Angelico (conductor), Stefan Jackiw (violin) Prinzregententheater, Munich, 20.3.2017. (MC)
Michael Cookson
Wonderful Singing but Lame and Lacklustre Falstaff Revival
Germany Verdi, Falstaff: Soloists, Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Bayerisches Staatsorchester / Asher Fisch (conductor), Nationaltheater, 19.3.2017. (MC)
A Compelling Production of Andrea Chénier and the Audience Cheered Long and Hard
Germany Giordano, Andrea Chénier: Soloists, Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Bayerisches Staatsorchester / Omer Meir Wellber, (conductor), Nationaltheater, Munich, 18.3.2017. (MC)
(c) Bayerische Staatsoper
Hallé’s Gerontius was a Remarkable Performance to Stay Long in the Memory
United Kingdom Elgar: David Butt Philip (tenor), Iain Paterson (bass-baritone), Sasha Cooke (mezzo-soprano), Hallé Choir, Hallé Youth Choir, Hallé / Sir Mark Elder (conductor), Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 12.3.2017. (MC)
The First Concert of the Hallé Elgar Festival is a Real Delight
United Kingdom Elgar: Madeleine Shaw (mezzo-soprano), Hallé / Sir Mark Elder (conductor), Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 9.3.2017. (MC)
BARITONE MICHAEL VOLLE IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL COOKSON
Michael Volle talks to Michael Cookson
Michael Volle one of the leading baritones on the international stage today is a recipient of eminent German Theatre Award ‘Faust’ and in 2008 and 2014 was named ‘Singer of the Year’ by opera magazine ‘Opernwelt’. In a 2008 interview with Jim Pritchard for Seen and Heard, Volle had yet to sing Hans Sachs a role which has since established him as one of the greatest acting baritones of his generation. A pinnacle of Volle’s career was singing Sachs in Stefan Herheim’s production of Die Meistersinger at the Salzburg Festival 2013.
Ellen Kent’s La bohème Deserves Warm Audience Applause
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists and cast of Chisinau National Opera, Members of the Orchestra of the National Opera & Ballet Theatre of Moldova ‘Maria Biesu’ and National Philharmonic of Moldova ‘Serghei Lunchevici’ / Vasyl Vasylenko (conductor). Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Lancashire. 13.2.2017. (MC)
The Liverpool Philharmonic offer some fine French music in Preston
United Kingdom Liszt, Mozart, Ravel & Dukas: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor), Guild Hall, Preston, 15.1.2017. (MC)