United Kingdom Puccini, The Girl of the Golden West (La fanciulla del West): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Keri-Lynn Wilson (conductor), London Coliseum, London, 2.10.14. (JPr)
ENO’s La Fanciulla Fails to Evoke Wild West
Jim Pritchard
Brian Conley’s sense of fun makes Barnum believable
United Kingdom Coleman & Stewart, Barnum: Musical Director: Ian Townsend, Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, 30.9.2014. (JPr)
Joyce DiDonato’s London Recital Compromised by Some Second-Rate Material
United Kingdom Joyce DiDonato: Stella di Napoli: Joyce DiDonato (mezzo-soprano), Orchestre de l’Opéra de Lyon, Riccardo Minasi (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 25.9.2014. (JPr)
Intriguing Choreography in Mats Ek’s Juliet & Romeo
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky et al, Juliet & Romeo: Soloists and corps de ballet of the Royal Swedish Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet Orchestra / Alexander Polianichko – conductor (recorded), Sadler’s Wells, London, 24.9.2014. (JPr)
PROM (76): Sakari Oramo Applies the Fin(n)ishing Touches to the 2014 BBC Proms
United Kingdom Prom 76 – Last Night Of The Proms 2014: Janine Jansen (violin), Elizabeth Watts (soprano), Ruthie Henshall (vocalist), John Daszak (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 13.9.2014. (JPr)
ENO’s Season Starts Off Well with New Otello
United Kingdom Verdi, Otello: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Edward Gardner (conductor), London Coliseum, London, 16.9.14. (JPr)
Strong Wagnerian Debut for New Saffron Opera Group
United Kingdom Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Soloists, Saffron Opera Group Chorus, St Albans Symphony Orchestra, Jennifer Wigram (leader), Michael Thorne (conductor). Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden, Essex 14.9.2014. (JPr)
PROM 73: Extraordinary Mahler Performance from Gilbert and Gewandhaus Orchestra
United Kingdom BBC Prom 73 – Mahler: Gerhild Romberger (mezzo-soprano), Leipzig Opera and Gewandhaus Choir (women’s voices), Leipzig Gewandhaus Children’s Choir, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra / Alan Gilbert (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London, 11.9.2014. (JPr)
