Jim Pritchard

Thielemann’s translucent conducting makes more of Vienna’s confusing new Lohengrin than it deserves

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AustriaAustria Wagner, Lohengrin: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Vienna State Opera / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Tiziano Mancini) from the Vienna State Opera, 5.5.2024. (JPr)

Jossi Wieler and Sergio Morabito’s new Vienna Lohengrin © Wiener Staatsoper/Michael Pöhn

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Damiano Michieletto’s new Covent Garden Carmen is well sung but disappoints and disturbs

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Bizet, Carmen: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Antonello Manacorda (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Pati Marr) from the Royal Ballet & Opera, Covent Garden, to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 1.5.2024. (JPr)

Ruth Alfie Adams (Don José’s mother) and Piotr Beczała (Don José) © Camilla Greenwell

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Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s Rotterdam Die Walküre was one hell of a ride

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NetherlandsNetherlands Wagner, Die Walküre (concert performance): Soloists, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Lauren Jurrius) on medici.tv from de Doelen (Grand Hall), Rotterdam, 26.4.2024. (JPr)

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in Die Walküre © medici.tv

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Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball lead an enjoyable revival of Liam Scarlett’s flawed Swan Lake

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake: Dancers of The Royal Ballet and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Martin Georgiev (conductor). Directed for the screen by Peter Jones and relayed to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 24.4.2024. (JPr)

Yasmine Naghdi (Odette) and Matthew Ball (Prince Siegfried) © Andrej Uspensksi

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An uplifting evening at Basildon’s Towngate Theatre from the Thames Opera Company Chorus and guests

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Thames Opera Company’s Opera for All: Thames Opera Company Chorus, Anita Watson (soprano), Nancy Holt (mezzo-soprano), Luis Gomes (tenor), Blaize O’Callaghan (soprano), Roderick Williams (baritone), Ashley Beauchamp (piano) / Jeremy Haneman (conductor). Thomas Guthrie (director), Ian Skelly (host). Towngate Theatre, Basildon, Essex, 20.4.2024. (JPr)

Thames Opera Company Chorus (centre front, chair of TOC Matt Smith) © Rachel Cherry

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The Royal Ballet’s triple bill celebrates Kenneth MacMillan’s choreographic legacy

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom MacMillan Celebrated – Danses concertantes, Different Drummer and Requiem: Dancers of The Royal Ballet, Isabela Díaz (soprano), Josef Jeongmeen Ahn (baritone), Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Koen Kessels (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Ross MacGibbon) from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 9.4.2024. (JPr)

Danses concertantes featuring Isabella Gasparini © Tristram Kenton

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In Paris: Nureyev’s Don Quixote is a true celebration of dance without the slightest false step

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FranceFrance Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote: Paris Opera Ballet, Orchestra of the Paris National Opera / Gavriel Heine (conductor). Transmitted live (directed by François Roussillon) from the Opéra Bastille, Paris, 2.4.2024. (JPr)

Paul Marque (Basilio) and Sae Eun Park (Kitri)

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