Category Archives: Uncategorized

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”

John Findon, Peter Grimes; Elizabeth Llewellyn, Ellen Orford; Simon Bailey, Balstrode; Christine Rice, Auntie; Clive Bayley, Swallow; Alex Otterburn, Ned Keene; ??, Bob Boles; Anne-Marie Owens, Mrs Sedley; David Soar, Hobson; Ronald Samm, Reverend Horace Adams; Cleo Lee-McGowan, First Niece; Ava Dodd, Second Niece. Conductor, Martyn Brabbins I missed the raved-about production of Peter Grimes atContinue reading “Britten – Peter Grimes: ENO – 6/10/23”

Director, Christof Loy; Designer,Christian Schmidt; Lighting Designer, Olaf Winter; Choreographer, Otto Pichler. Conductor, Mark Elder. Donna Leonora, Sondra Radvanovsky; Don Alvaro, Brian Jagde; Don Carlo Di Vargas, Aleksei Isaev; Padre Guardiano, Evgeny Stavinsky; Preziosilla, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya; Fra Melitone, Rodion Pogossov; Mastro Trabuco, Carlo Bosi; Marquis of Calatrava, James Creswell; Curra, Chanáe Curtis; Alcalde, Thomas D.Continue reading “Verdi – La Forza del Destino: ROHCG – 27/9/23”

Georgia Malcom, soprano; Michael Bell, tenor; Florence Stoertz, baritone; Juliette Mey, contralto. Sebastian Wybrew, piano. This lunchtime song recital was very enjoyable  Led by Dame Felicity Lott and a distinguished French singer, Francois Le Roux. the Wigmore French Song Exchange brings together young artists of different nationalities to work on French song under the guidanceContinue reading “Wigmore French Song Exchange: Wigmore Hall, 27/9/23”

Director, Barrie Kosky; Set Designer, Rufus Didwiszus; Costume Designer. Victoria Behr; Lighting Designer. Alessandro Carletti. Wotan, Christopher Maltman; Alberich, Christopher Purves; Loge, Sean Panikkar; Fricka, Marina Prudenskaya; Freia, Kiandra Howarth; Donner, Kostas Smoriginas; Froh, Rodrick Dixon; Mime, Brenton Ryan; Fasolt, Insung Sim; Fafner, Soloman Howard; Woglinde, Katharina Konradi; Wellgunde, Niamh O’Sullivan; Flosshilde. Marvic Monreal; Erda,Continue reading “Wagner – Das Rheingold: ROHCG – 26/9/23”

The English Concert; Tim Mead, Amadigi; Hilary Cronin, Oriana; Mary Bevan, Melissa; Hugh Cutting,  Dardano. Kristian Bezuidenhout, Director (Cribbing mainly from Wikipedia), Handel composed Amadigi in 1715 for Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington. The work was premiered in London at the King’s Theatre in the Haymarket on 25 May 1715. Exceptional care was lavishedContinue reading “Handel – Amadigi di Gaula: St Martin’s in the Fields 21/9/23”