R.Strauss: Gardner, LPO. RAH BBC Proms 27/7/26

Kristine Tjøgersen, Between Trees; Canteloube, Songs of the Auvergne – selection; R. Strauss, An Alpine Symphony. Louise Alder soprano, London Philharmonic Orchestra. Edward Gardner conductor  This was a very interesting programme, very well thought through – a contemporary Norwegian composer’s piece about the sounds of the forest, folk songs from the Auvergne, and Strauss’ AlpineContinue reading “R.Strauss: Gardner, LPO. RAH BBC Proms 27/7/26”

Britten: Billy Budd. Glyndebourne Festival, 24/7/26

Conductor, Nicholas Carter; Director, Michael Grandage; Designer, Christopher Oram; Lighting Designer, Paule Constable. London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Glyndebourne Chorus. Captain Vere, Allan Clayton; Billy Budd, Thomas Mole; John Claggart, Sam Carl; Mr Redburn, Dingle Yandell; Mr Flint, William Thomas; Lieutenant Ratcliffe, Daniel Okulitch; Red Whiskers, Alasdair Elliott; Donald, Samuel, Dale Johnson; Dansker, Clive BayleyContinue reading “Britten: Billy Budd. Glyndebourne Festival, 24/7/26”

Mozart, La Clemenza di Tito: Buxton Festival, 19/7/26

Adrian Kelly Conductor; Corina Wuersch Director; Xavier Más, Tito; Maria Stella Maurizi, Vitellia; Indyana Schneider, Sesto; Frances Gregory, Annio; Jessica Lawley, Servillia, Samson Seu, Publio. Buxton international Festival Orchestra I hadn’t quite picked up that this was billed as a concert performance, though a director is credited as above, until just before I was aboutContinue reading “Mozart, La Clemenza di Tito: Buxton Festival, 19/7/26”

Maha Esfahani (harpsichord), St John’s Church, Buxton International Festival 12/7/26

Handel Sonata in G minor, HWV 580; Chaconne in G major, HWV 435; D Scarlatti Sonata in G minor, K 8; Sonata in E major, K 20; Sonata in A minor, K 54; Sonata in Minor, K 213; Sonata in D major, K 214; G.F. Handel Suite No 1 in B flat major, HWV 434;Continue reading “Maha Esfahani (harpsichord), St John’s Church, Buxton International Festival 12/7/26”

Handel, Amadigi di Gaula: Buxton Festival, 12/7/26

English Concert, Erin Helyard Conductor; Olivia Fuchs Director; Eleanor Bull Designer; Ben Pickersgill Lighting Designer. Tim Morgan Amadigi; Rowan Pierce, Oriana; Hilary Cronin, Melissa; James Hall ,Dardano I saw this in concert form a couple of years ago at St Martins in the Fields in London, but have never been to a staged performance. IContinue reading “Handel, Amadigi di Gaula: Buxton Festival, 12/7/26”

Tovesco Trio, Elbephilharmonie Small Hall, Hamburg

Veronika Rädler Violin; Tatu Kauppinen Cello; Francesco Maccarrone Piano. Haydn Trio in E flat major Hob. XV:29; Rebecca Clarke, Trio for violin, violoncello and piano; Bright ShengFour Movements for Piano Trio; Brahms, Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor op. 101 I decided to spend a day and two nights in Hamburg, coming back fromContinue reading “Tovesco Trio, Elbephilharmonie Small Hall, Hamburg”

Wagner, Tristan and Isolde. LSO, Pappano, Barbican 1/7/26

London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano   conductor; Clay Hilley   Tristan; Sara Jakubiak   Isolde; Marina Prudenskaya   Brangaene; Franz-Josef Selig   King Marke; Gyula Orendt   Kurwenall Neal Cooper   Melot; Michael Gibson   Sailor/Shepherd; James Emerson   Steersman; London Symphony Chorus  I got myself into a ridiculous situation over this concert. I bought the ticket over a year ago and hadContinue reading “Wagner, Tristan and Isolde. LSO, Pappano, Barbican 1/7/26”

Bellini, I Puritani: ROHCG Friends Dress Rehearsal, 27/6/26

Director, Richard Jones; Set Designer, Hyemi Shin; Costume Designer, Nicky Gillibrand; Lighting Designer, Adam Silverman; Movement Director, Sarah Fahie; Video Designer, Sasha Balmazi-Owen. Conductor, Riccardo Frizza; Lord Arturo Talbot, Francesco Demuro; Elvira, Lisette Oropesa; Sir Giorgio Valton, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo; Sir Riccardo Forth, Andrzej Filończyk; Enrichetta di Francia, Marcela Rahal; Lord Gualtiero Valton, Blaise Malaba; SirContinue reading “Bellini, I Puritani: ROHCG Friends Dress Rehearsal, 27/6/26”

Handel, Serse (concert performance). Academy of Ancient Music, Barbican 19/6/26

Academy of Ancient Music , Laurence Cummings   director & harpsichord; Paula Murrihy, Serse; Louise Alder, Romilda; Rachel Redmond, Atalanta; Rebecca Leggett, Arsamene; Claudia Huckle,   Amastre; Luca Tittoto, Ariodate; Thomas Chenhall,   Elviro I am pretty sure I saw Xerxes at ENO at some point in the last 20 years, maybe at the last ENO revival inContinue reading “Handel, Serse (concert performance). Academy of Ancient Music, Barbican 19/6/26”

Puccini, La Fanciulla del West, Opera Holland Park, 10/6/26

Martin Lloyd-Evans, Director; Matthew Kofi Waldren, Conductor; Anna Reid, Designer; Jamie Platt, Lighting Designer. Amanda Echalaz, Minnie; Robert Hayward, Jack Rance; Josè de Eça, Dick; Zwakele Tshabalala, Nick; Alaric Green, Ashby; Aidan Edwards; Sonora; Jamie Formoy, Trin This is a work which has always been a favourite of mine but which I have only seenContinue reading “Puccini, La Fanciulla del West, Opera Holland Park, 10/6/26”