Author Archives: John

Conductor, Christophe Rousset; Production, Andrea Breth; Scenery, Martin Zehetgruber; Costumes, Carla Teti; Lighting, Olaf Freese. Cast – Médée, Marina Rebeka; Jason, Stanislas De Barbeyrac; Créon, Peter Schöne; Dircé, Maria Kokareva; Néris, Natalia Skrycka  This was part of a ‘Barocktage’ season at the Staatsoper which includes Simon Rattle conducting the Charpentier version of Medea as wellContinue reading “Medea, Cherubini: Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden: 17/11/23”

Galina Averina, Magda; Claire Lees, Lisette; Sébastien Guèze, Ruggero; Elgan Llŷr Thomas,Prunier; Philip Smith, Rambaldo; Pasquale Orchard, Yvette; Kathryn Sharpe, Bianca; Laura Kelly-Mcinroy, Suzy; Ross Mcinroy, Périchaud; Satriya Krisna, Gobin; Paul Gibson, Crébillon;Andrew Randall, Rabonnier. Kerem Hasan, Conductor; James Hurley, Director; Leslie Travers, Set Designer; Gabrielle Dalton, Costume Designer It’s a strange experience going toContinue reading “La Rondine, Puccini: Opera North, Nottingham Theatre Royal, 10/11/23”

Director, Oliver Mears; Set Designer, Simon Lima Holdsworth; Costume Designer, Ilona Karas; Lighting Designer, Fabiana Piccioli; Movement Director, Anna Morrissey; Conductor,  Laurence Cummings. Cast – Jephtha, Allan Clayton; Iphis, Jennifer France; Storgè, Alice Coote; Hamor, Cameron Shahbazi; Zebul, Brindley Sherratt Jephtha is Handel’s last oratorio (1751). Whilst writing Jephtha, Handel was increasingly troubled by hisContinue reading “Jephtha, Handel: ROHCG dress rehearsal, 6/11/23”

Kerem Hasan conductor; Francesca Chiejina soprano: Wagner the Flying Dutchman – overture; Strauss Orchestral Songs (selection); Mozart Symphony No. 35 in D major, K385 ‘Haffner’; Strauss Munich: A Memorial Waltz ; Strauss Die Frau ohne Schatten – Symphonic Fantasy I have seen Die Frau ohne Schatten twice – maybe in 1975/76 – at Covent GardenContinue reading “BBC Philharmonic, Hasan: Wagner, R.Strauss and Mozart – Bridgewater Hall, 4/11/23”

Bach: Goldberg Variations I have only heard this work once before live – with Andras Schiff about 6 years ago in Manchester – which was a very fine performance, though a long evening (he played Bach and Haydn in the first half, and the Goldberg Variations was the second half!). I know the work mainlyContinue reading “Vikingur Olafsson: Bach – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall,1/11/23”

John Storgårds conductor; Tobias Feldmann violin: Sibelius Pohjola’s Daughter; Sofia Gubaidulina  ‘In Tempus Praesens’ for violin and orchestra; Einojuhani Rautavaara Symphony No. 7, ‘Angel of Light’ This was a very stimulating and worthwhile evening. It was entitled ‘an evening of Finnish wonder’, which is a bit dismissive of the Gubaidulina piece, which comes from aContinue reading “BBC Philharmonic: Storgårds – Bridgewater Hall,28/10/23”

Gemma Rosefield, cello: Bach, Cello Suite No.5 and Cello Suite No.6 I had been to one of the other two concerts covering the Bach Cello Suites but missed two of the suites out – probably 3 and 4. It was good to hear this performance of the 5th and 6th suites. Though I have aContinue reading “Bach Cello Suites: Upper Chapel, Sheffield, 27/10/23”

Lise Davidsen soprano; James Baillieu piano, Songs by Grieg, Schubert, Berg and Sibelius This was a hugely enjoyable recital. This was because: 1. Ms Davidsen is an engaging presenter of songs. She’s willing to talk to the audience to give her perspective on some of the composers. She is also not just confident on theContinue reading “Lise Davidsen recital:  Wigmore Hall, 13/10/23”

Catriona Morison, mezzo & Malcolm Martineau, piano: German romantic songs by Brahms, Strauss, Mahler and Berg: I had various lunch time music options today when in London but I decided to go for the LSO St Lukes Radio 3 lunchtime concert, which was part of a series focusing on R. Strauss’ chamber music, and thereforeContinue reading “Catriona Morison & Malcolm Martineau / German Romantic songs: LSO St Lukes London 1pm, 13/10/23.”

Bartok, Divertimento for Strings; Adès, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra; Beethoven, Symphony No 7. London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano conductor, Kirill Gerstein piano This was interestingly programmed – a polite way of saying that it seemed an unusual juxtaposition. My take on it is that both the Bartok and Ades pieces, while ‘modern’ inContinue reading “LSO / Pappano, Gerstein; Barbican – 12/10/23”