Author Archives: John

BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth. Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 3 (Pastoral); On Wenlock Edge; Symphony No 5. Tenor soloist: Alessandro Fisher Sadly, the underlying theme of this concert (two war-based symphonies) was only too relevant to the 26 February 2022, 4 days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I was pleased there were noContinue reading “BBCPO/Wigglesworth: Vaughan Williams. Bridgewater Hall, 26/2/22”

Vingt regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus,  Olivier Messiaen: Reinis Zariņš piano This was the second of two concerts unexpectedly heard when my Welsh holiday was cancelled. I have a recording of this work (indeed two of them!) and therefore I know it to some extent. However, I have never been to a live performance, and probably another won’tContinue reading “Messiaen / Zariņš : Wigmore Hall, 23/2/22”

Dmitry Shostakovich: Suite on Verses of Michelangelo Buonarroti Op. 145; Viola Sonata Op. 147: Ignat Solzhenitsyn, piano; Simon Barrad, baritone; Timothy Ridout, viola Tuesday 22 February started with my assumption that I would be spending the next three days with an old friend of mine in Wales, half way up a valley without wifi, electricityContinue reading “Shostakovitch: Barrad/Solzhenitsyn/Ridout: Wigmore Hall, 22/2/22”

Martyn Brabbins, conductor; Jamie Manton, director; Tom Scutt, set & costumes;  Lucy Carter, lighting. Cast: Sally Matthews, Vixen; Pumeza Matshikiza, Fox; Lester Lynch, Forester; Madeleine Shaw, Forester’s Wife / Owl; Alan Oke, Schoolmaster / Mosquito; Clive Bayley, Priest / Badger; Ossian Huskinson, a Poacher; John Findon, Innkeeper / Cock; Gweneth Ann Rand, Innkeeper’s Wife / Hen; Claire BarnettContinue reading “The Cunning Little Vixen, Janacek. ENO 20/2/22 “

Stravinsky – Funeral Song; Shostakovich – Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings; Mahler – Symphony No.1. Conductor, Carlo Rizzi;  Sofya Gulyak, piano; Gareth Small, trumpet This was a very enjoyable concert, based around the early works of three great masters. I think I heard the Stravinsky a few years ago at the Proms – itContinue reading “Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Mahler: Halle, Rizzi – Bridgewater Hall. 13/2/22”

STRAVINSKY ‘A Soldiers Tale’ Suite; BRAHMS Clarinet Sonata in E flat Op.120 No.2; MOZART Violin Sonata in G K301; BARTÓK Contrasts.  Ensemble 360 (Benjamin Nabarro, violin, plus Tim Horton, piano and clarinettist Matthew Hunt This was an interesting and eclectic programme – unfortunately, the Ensemble 360 cellist who had originally been part of the mix,Continue reading “Ensemble 360: Stravinsky, Brahms, Mozart, Bartok. Sheffield Upper Chapel. 10/02/22”

Director, Adele Thomas; Set and costume designer, Molly O’Cathain, conductor, Peter Whelan; orchestra: Irish Baroque Orchestra. Cast: –  Bajazet: Gianluca Margheri; Tamerlano: James Laing; Asteria: Niamh O’Sullivan; Andronicus: Eric Jurenas; Irene: Claire Booth; Idaspe: Aoife Miskelly Director, Adele Thomas; Set and costume designer, Molly O’Cathain, conductor, Peter Whelan; orchestra: Irish Baroque Orchestra. Cast: –  Bajazet:Continue reading “Vivaldi: Bajazet – Linbury Theatre, ROHCG, 5/2/21 7.15pm”

Director, Jonathan Kent; Revival Director, Amy Lane; Designer, Paul Brown, conductor Marco Amiliato. Cast – Floria Tosca: Angela Gheorghiu; Mario Cavaradossi: Stefan Pop; Baron Scarpia: Michael Volle; Spoletta: Aled Hall; Cesare Angelotti: Chuma Sijeqa I last saw this production about 4 years ago. Like Rigoletto, there is only a limited amount a production team can do (with? to?) Tosca –Continue reading “Puccini: Tosca – ROHCG, dress rehearsal, 5/2/21 11.30 am”

Director, Katie Mitchell; Set designer, Chloe Lamford; Conductor, Harry Bicket. Cast – Theodora: Julia Bullock; Irene: Joyce DiDonato; Didymus: Jakub Józef Orlinski; Septimius: Ed Lyon; Valens: Gyula Orendt; Marcus: Thando Mjandana It’s interesting that while we place huge emphasis now on what musical performance practice would sound like for Handel, and what authentic instrumental soundsContinue reading “Handel: Theodora – ROHCG 4/2/21”

Director – Bartlett Sher; Designer Michael Yeargan; Quinn Kelsey, Rigoletto; Rosa Feola, Gilda; Piotr Beczała, Duke of Mantua; Sparafucile, Andrea Mastroni;  conductor Daniele Rustioni This is the first cinema screening from the Met or ROHCG I’ve been to since the start of the pandemic. The last one was a Met performance of Handel’s Agrippina inContinue reading “CINEMA Screening: Rigoletto, Verdi: Metropolitan Opera / Rustioni 29/1/22”