Category Archives: Uncategorized

Beethoven ‘Cello sonatas Op 5 no 1 and Op 102 no2 I saw this concert, presumably given by two students or recent graduates from a music college, being advertised on my phone just as my train drew into London from Birmingham. It was a quick dash on the Piccadilly line and a worthwhile 50 minutesContinue reading “Gerard Flotas ‘cello, Ellis Thomas, piano, St James Piccadilly lunchtime concert“

Ángeles Blancas Gulin, Emilia Marty; Nicky Spence, Albert Gregor; Gustáv Beláček, Dr Kolenaty; Mark Le Brocq, Vitek; Harriet Eyley, Krista; David Stout, Baron Jaroslav Prus; Alexander Sprague, Janek; Alan Oke, Count Hauk-Šendorf. Tomáš Hanus, Conductor; Olivia Fuchs, Director; Nicola Turner, Designer; Robbie Butler, Lighting Director As I was walking to the Birmingham Hippodrome for thisContinue reading “Janáček: The Makropoulos Case: Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Hippodrome, 8/11/22“

Bajazet, Jorge Navarro Colorado; Asteria, Ellie Laugharne; Tamerlano, Rodrigo Sosa Dal Pozzo; Andronico, James Hall; Irene, April Koyejo-Audiger. Conductor, Jonathan Peter Kenny with the Old Street Band; Director, James Conway; Set & Costume Designer, Rebecca van Beeck; Lighting Designer, Tim van ’t Hof This performance was enlivened by the occasional off-stage bang from particularly vociferousContinue reading “Handel: Tamerlano. English Touring Opera, Buxton Opera House 5/11/22“

The basic messages from the recent announcement of funding from Arts Council England for 2023 to 2026 seem to be bleak – London orchestras’ grants down 10% (plus of course dealing with inflation during those years) except for the RPO and an increase for OAE; regional orchestras given the same funding as in 2022 i.e.Continue reading “Arts Council England’s cuts to classical music and opera”

Gismonda, Elizabeth Karani; Adelberto, Kieron-Connor Valentine; Ottone, James Hall; Matilda, Lauren Young; Teofane, Nazan Fikret; Emireno, Edward Jowle. Conductor, Gerry Cornelius, with the Old Street Band. Director, James Conway; Designer, takis; Lighting Designer, Tim van ’t Hof This was the first of three Handel operas I am intending to go to in just over aContinue reading “Handel: Ottone. English Touring Opera, Buxton Opera House 3/11/22“

Verdi – Messa da Requiem; Sir Mark Elder conductor; Natalyia Romaniw, soprano; Alice Coote, mezzo-soprano; Thomas Atkins, tenor; James Platt, bass; Hallé Choir and Orchestra Yet another work I’ve known since I was a teenager but haven’t heard live since the 1970s. I can’t remember who performed it or exactly when I last went toContinue reading “Verdi Requiem: Halle, Elder, Bridgewater Hall, 27/10/22“

Production, David Mcvicar; Set Designer, David Mcvicar; Costume Designer, Doey Lüthi; Lighting Designer, Paule Constable. Conductor, Carlo Rizzi. Cast: Medea, Sondra Radvanovsky; Glauce, Janai Brugger; Neris, Ekaterina Gubanova; Giasone, Matthew Polenzani; Creonte, Michele Pertusi As far as I am aware I have never heard a note of Cherubini’s music. I even had to look hisContinue reading “Cherubini, Medea: live screening from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, seen in Sheffield 22/10/22”

James Macmillan, Larghetto for orchestra (2017);  Gerald Finzi, Clarinet Concerto, Vaughan Williams, Symphony No 3 (Pastoral); Brigantes Orchestra – conductor Quentin Clare; clarinet, Emma Johnson; soprano, Laurie Ashworth I was at this event as a Welcomer at Sheffield Cathedral, one of the various voluntary things I do. My attention had to be a little lessContinue reading “Macmillan, Finzi, Vaughan Williams – Brigantes Orchestra, Clare: Sheffield Cathedral 15/10/22”

Leo Hussain, Conductor; Christof Loy, Director; Christian Schmidt, Designer; Olaf Winter, Lighting Designer. CAST: Sinéad Campbell-Wallace, Floria Tosca; Adam Smith,Mario Cavaradossi;  Roland Wood, Baron Scarpia; Msimelelo Mbali, Cesare Angelotti; Lucia Lucas, A Sacristan; John Findon, Spoletta This was an extremely enjoyable and impressive performance, with singers who in the main I’d never heard of before…….It’sContinue reading “Puccini, Tosca, ENO, London Coliseum, 13/10/22“

Director, Robert Carsen; Set Designer, Miriam Buether; Costume Designer Annemarie Woods; Lighting Designer, Robert Carsen And Peter Van Praet. Conductor, Antonio Pappano; Aida, Elena Stikhina; Radames, Francesco Meli; Amneris, Agnieszka Rehlis; Amonasro, Ludovic Tézier; Ramfis, Soloman Howard. Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and Royal Opera Chorus In my snobbish and silly way, I’ve neverContinue reading “Aida, Verdi: ROHCG live screening in Sheffield cinema   12/10/22“