Author Archives: John

Director, Nicholas Hytner; Designer, Bob Crowley; Lighting Designer, Mark Henderson.  Conductor, Bertrand De Billy; Don Carlos, Brian Jagde; Elizabeth of Valois, Lise Davidsen; Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa, Luca Micheletti; Princess Eboli, Yulia Matochkina; King Philip II, John Relyea; Grand Inquisitor, Taras Shtondal; Monk, Alexander Köpeczi; Tebaldo, Ella Taylor; Count of Lerma, Michael Gibson. I supposeContinue reading “Verdi, Don Carlo: ROHCG 9/7/23”

Figaro, Mattia Olivieri; Susanna, Siobhan Stagg; Count Almaviva, Stéphane Degout; Countess Almaviva, Hrachuhí Bassénz; Cherubino, Anna Stéphany; Bartolo, Maurizio Muraro; Marcellina, Dorothea Röschmann; Don Basilio, Krystian Adam; Antonio, Jeremy White; Don Curzio, Peter Bronder; Barbarina, Sarah Dufresne. Conductor, Joana Mallwitz; Director, David Mcvicar; Designer, Tanya Mccallin; Lighting Designer; Paule Constable The last time I sawContinue reading “Mozart, Marriage of Figaro: ROHCG 8/7/23”

BBC Philharmonic, Anja Bihlmaier conductor: Brahms Hungarian Dances No. 1, 3 & 10; Bartok Concerto for Orchestra.  Manchester Collective: Hannah Peel, Neon; Michael Gordon, Industry; Steve Reich, Double Sextet I had thought at first this was something to do with the Manchester International Festival, but it wasn’t! Quote from the publicity blurb: “The orchestras andContinue reading “Manchester Classical – various events at the Bridgewater Hall 24/6/23”

The Hallé with Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and Leeds Festival Chorus: Sofi Jeannin conductor; Claire Rutter soprano; Rosie Aldridge mezzo-soprano; Sam Furness tenor; David Shipley bass I am currently reading and enjoying Fiona Maddock’s latest book about Rachmaninov in Exile. Rachmaninov visited Sheffield City Hall on several occasions in the 1930’s, and described it as theContinue reading “Verdi Requiem: Halle, Sheffield City Hall, 18 /06/23”

Halle Orchestra – conductor Sir Mark Elder; Gemma Summerfield soprano; Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano; Andrew Staples, tenor; Ashley Riches bass-baritone; Hallé Choir and Associates choral director Matthew Hamilton; Ad Solem (University of Manchester Choral Programme) choral director Robert Guy Guess when the complete “Kingdom” was premiered at the Proms…..1920? 1934? No…1999 (Apostles 1990)– which shows the deep neglect of the ApostlesContinue reading “Elgar, The Kingdom: Halle, Bridgewater Hall, 11/6/23”

Halle Orchestra – conductor Sir Mark Elder; Sophie Bevan, soprano – The Angel Gabriel/The Blessed Virgin Mary;  Alice Coote mezzo-soprano – Mary Magdalene; Ed Lyon tenor  – John; Roderick Williams baritone – Jesus; David Stout bass baritone, Peter; Clive Bayley bass,  Judas; 9 Apostles from the Royal Northern College of Music; Hallé Choir choral directorContinue reading “Elgar, The Apostles: Halle, Bridgewater Hall, 10/6/23”

Director, Deborah Warner; Set Designer, Hyemi Shin; Costume Designer, Nicky Gillibrand; Lighting Designer, Adam Silverman; Choreographer, Kim Brandstrup. Cast: Wozzeck, Christian Gerhaher; Marie, Anja Kampe; Captain, Peter Hoare; Doctor, Brindley Sherratt; Margret, Rosie Aldridge; Drum Major, Clay Hilley; Andres, Sam Furness;  First Apprentice, Barnaby Rea; Second Apprentice, Alex Otterburn; The Fool, John Findon. Conductor, SirContinue reading “Berg, Wozzeck: ROHCG, 07/06/23”

Halle Orchestra – conductor Sir Mark Elder; Alice Coote mezzo-soprano; Michael Spyres tenor; Neal Davies bass; Hallé Choir choral director Matthew Hamilton; Hallé Youth Choir and Alumni director Stuart Overington Surprisingly the number of ‘Gerontius’ performances I have been to over the years has been very small. I don’t think I’ve heard the Halle andContinue reading “Elgar, Dream of Gerontius, Halle,  Bridgewater Hall, 04/06/23”

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Semyon Bychkov: Mahler Symphony No 6 And so to the final concert, after 12 previous live musical events (plus two one-hour sessions of Bach), 11 talks, and one film over 11 days……. This was (here I go with those superlatives again) a magnificent performance. I doubt if I have ever heardContinue reading “Mahler 6 , Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Leipzig Mahler Festival 28/5/23”

MDR Symphony Orchestra, MDR Radio Choir, Dennis Russell Davies conductor, Chen Reiss soprano, Sophie Harmsen alto, Attilio Glaser tenor: Gustav Mahler — Totenfeier; Gustav Mahler — Wunderhorn and Rückert-Lieder in arrangements for voice and orchestra (selection); Gustav Mahler — Das klagende Lied ((revised version in two movements from 1898)) Leipzig this afternoon was particularly bonkers,Continue reading “Mahler Das Klagende Lied , MDR Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Mahler Festival 27/5/23”