United Kingdom BBC Proms 2026 [29] – Schumann: Isabelle Faust (violin), Freiburg Baroque Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London 7.9.2026. (JR)
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle in a fine all-Schumann Prom
John Rhodes
Holy Fool at the Park Theatre about Shostakovich is a ‘must see’ for music and theatre-lovers alike
United Kingdom Holy Fool (a play by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers): Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, 3.9.2026. (JR)
Refined rather than electrifying Damnation of Faust from Les Siècles, choir and soloists at the Proms
United Kingdom BBC Proms 2026 [24] – Berlioz: Soloists, Maîtrise de Radio France, Chœur de Radio France, Les Siècles / Jakob Lehmann (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London 30.8.2026 (JR)
There was much to relish at The Met Orchestra’s second BBC Prom, which featured Joyce DiDonato
United Kingdom BBC Proms 2026 [22] – Saariaho, Mahler: Joyce DiDonato (mezzo-soprano), The Met Orchestra / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 27.8.2026. (JR)
BBC Symphony Orchestra firing on all cylinders for its Mahler Sixth Prom
United Kingdom BBC Proms 2026 [3] – Kurtág, Mahler: BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 22.7.2026. (JR)
Fine singing despite a disappointing orchestra for New Palace Opera’s Katya Kabanova
United Kingdom Janáček, Katya Kabanova: Soloists, New Palace Opera Orchestra / Michael Thorne (conductor). St. John’s Waterloo, London, 19.7.2026. (JR)
Regents Opera’s minimalist Rigoletto falls well short of their usual quality
United Kingdom Verdi, Rigoletto: Soloists, Orchestra of Regents Opera / Ben Woodward (piano/conductor). Bloomsbury Theatre, London, 17.7.2026. (JR)
Compelling revival of Billy Budd at Glyndebourne
United Kingdom Britten, Billy Budd: Soloists, Children’s Chorus (chorus master: Nicholas Mulroy), The Glyndebourne Chorus (chorus director: Aidan Oliver), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Nicholas Carter (conductor). Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Lewes, East Sussex, 5.7.2026. (JR)
