Germany R. Strauss, Brahms: Sarah Wegener (soprano), Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks / Mariss Jansons (conductor). Herkulessaal, Munich, 10.10.2019. (MC)
Under Jansons the Bavarian RSO’s unique Straussian lyricism shines through
Michael Cookson
SOPRANO ANGELA GHEORGHIU IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL COOKSON
Angela Gheorghiu talks to Michael Cookson
Clearly relishing the beautiful summer weather in Dresden, the day I met Angela Gheorghiu for interview at her hotel she was looking cool in her blue and white striped summer dress, straw hat and wearing sandals. Bringing her family with her the Romanian soprano was in rehearsal for a few days preparing for her appearance in her signature role as heroine Tosca in the revival of Johannes Schaaf production at Semperoper. This is my report (click here) from what was one of the finest performances I have encountered in an opera house, a special Tosca with Gheorghiu in imperious form.
Kendal Sees and Hears Raphael Wallfisch as Still ‘a Master at Work’
United Kingdom Lake District Summer Music [2] – Barrière, Beethoven, Martinů, Clarke, Mendelssohn: Raphael Wallfisch (cello), John York (piano), Kristiana Ignatjeva (second cello). St. Thomas’s Church, Kendal, Cumbria, 8.8.2019. (MC)
Marmen Quartet at the 2019 Lake District Summer Music
United Kingdom Lake District Summer Music [1] – Haydn, Ligeti, Brahms: Marmen Quartet (Johannes Marmen [violin], Ricky Gore [violin], Bryony Gibson-Cornish [viola], Steffan Morris [cello]), Hélène Clément [viola], Bartholomew LaFollette [cello]. St. Thomas’s Church, Kendal, Cumbria, 5.8.2019. (MC)
The 2019 Summer Festival of Chamber Music at Paxton House Draws to a Close
United Kingdom ‘Music at Paxton’ – Summer Festival of Chamber Music 2019: Picture Gallery, Paxton House, Paxton, Berwickshire, Scottish Borders (MC)
Puttin’ on the Ritz in Blackpool
United Kingdom Various composers, Puttin’ on the Ritz: Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 6.7.2019. (MC)
Outstanding Ensemble Performance from Orozco-Estrada and Staatskapelle Dresden
Germany Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, Stravinsky: Anna Vinnitskaya (piano), Staatskapelle Dresden / Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Semperoper, Dresden, 11.6.2019. (MC)
A Pity the Dresden Jazz Night Fun Had To End
Germany Dresden Music Festival 2019 [7] – Jazz Night: Nils Landgren & Friends, Kulturpalast, Dresden, 9.6.2019. (MC)
Musicians – Nils Landgren (trombone, vocals), China Moses (vocals), Ada Rovatti (saxophone), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Simon Oslender (piano, keyboards), Lars Danielsson (double bass), Wolfgang Haffner (drums)