John Rhodes

Distinguished rather than gripping St John Passion from Bach Collegium Japan and Masaaki Suzuki

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 40 – Bach, St. John Passion: Benjamin Bruns (tenor – Evangelist), Alexander Chance (countertenor), Christian Immler (bass – Jesus), Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Shimon Yoshida (tenor), Yusuke Watanabe (bass – Pilate), Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London, 19.8.2024 (JR)

Masaaki Suzuki conducts Bach’s St John Passion at the BBC Proms © BBC/Mark Allan

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Abundant Entertainment: G&S’s The Yeoman of the Guard from Charles Court Opera and Opera Holland Park

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Gilbert and Sullivan: The Yeoman of the Guard: Soloists, Chorus of Opera Holland Park, City of London Sinfonia / David Eaton (conductor). Opera Holland Park, London. 7.8.2024. (JR)

Amy J Payne as Dame Carruthers in The Yeomen of the Guard at Opera Holland Park © Ellie Kurttz

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LSO closes its season with rarely performed Shostakovich and ever-popular rousing Carmina Burana

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Shostakovich, Orff: Christina Poulitsi (soprano), Sunnyboy Dladla (tenor), Elliot Madore (baritone), Tiffin Boys Choir, London Symphony Chorus (chorus director: Mariana Rosas), London Symphony Orchestra / Gianandrea Noseda (conductor). Barbican Hall, London 25.6.2024. (JR)

Sunnyboy Dladla (tenor) and Christina Poulitsi (soprano) during Carmina Burana © Andy Paradise

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Last ounce of spirituality missing from The Dream of Gerontius at the Royal Festival Hall

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Williams, Elgar: Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Daniel Norman (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), The Bach Choir (musical director: David Hill), Philharmonia Orchestra / David Hill (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 16.5.2024. (JR)

David Hill conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra © Andy Paradise

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Sad to witness MTT’s lapse of memory with the LSO in the Barbican Hall

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Mahler: Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano), Sopranos and Altos of the London Symphony Chorus (chorus director: Mariana Rosas), Tiffin Boys’ Choir (director: James Day), London Symphony Orchestra / Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor). Barbican Hall, London 12.5.2024. (JR)

The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas © Mark Allan

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