United Kingdom Brahms, Wagner and Bruckner: Anna Larsson (contralto), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 14.10.2012. (JPr)
Jim Pritchard
Ironical Peek at Pop Music Scene Offers a Fun Night Out
United Kingdom Viva Forever! (New musical – directed by Paul Garrington, with book by Jennifer Saunders and music by the Spice Girls): Piccadilly Theatre, London, 13.12.2012. (JPr)
Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker is Perfectly Charming
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker: Dancers of English National Ballet, Choir of Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, Orchestra of English National Ballet / Benjamin Pope. (conductor), London Coliseum, London, 12.12.2012. (JPr)
Met’s Un Ballo has Echoes of Alden’s 1989 Production for ENO
United Kingdom Verdi, Un ballo in maschera: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York, conducted by Fabio Luisi. (Production by David Alden; directed for live cinema by Matthew Diamond; broadcast to the Barbican Cinema, London, 8.12.2012. (JPr)
Lehár’s Merry Widow: the Mamma Mia! of its Age
United Kingdom Lehár: The Merry Widow (a semi-staged concert version directed by Simon Butteriss): soloists, Philharmonia Voices, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Wilson (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 2.12.2012. (JPr)
Mahler with Surprisingly Limited Emotional Impact
United Kingdom Schumann and Mahler: Francesco Piemontesi (piano), Katarina Karnéus (mezzo-soprano), Chen Reiss (soprano), Guildhall Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiří Bělohlávek (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 1.12.2012. (JPr)
Kiss Me, Kate offers an undemanding, enjoyable night out
United Kingdom Cole Porter, Kiss Me, Kate: Sir Trevor Nunn’s 2012 Chichester Festival Theatre production, Old Vic, London, 28.11.2012. (JPr)
Janowski’s Gripping Die Walküre Well Paced and Richly Detailed
Germany Wagner, Die Walküre: Soloists, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin / Marek Janowski (conductor), Philharmonie, Berlin, 24.11.2012. (JPr)