Robert Hayward, The Dutchman; Layla Claire, Senta; Thomas D. Hopkinson, Daland; Edgaras Montvidas, Erik / Steuermann; Molly Barker, Mary. Garry Walker, Conductor; Annabel Arden, Director; Joanna Parker; Set, Costume & Video Designer; Kevin Treacy, Lighting Designer I have never in my life been to Leeds before, let alone the Grand Theatre….which is indeed Grand, almostContinue reading “Wagner, The Flying Dutchman. Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre: 14/2/25”
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LSO, Pappano; Barbican, 9/2/25
Maconchy Nocturne for Orchestra; Walton Cello Concerto; Vaughan Williams Symphony No 1, A Sea Symphony. London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano conductor; Rebecca Gilliver cello; Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha soprano; Will Liverman baritone, London Symphony Chorus This was quite a generous programme time-wise – looking at the LSO;s 24/25 season overall I get the sense TonyContinue reading “LSO, Pappano; Barbican, 9/2/25”
Leonkoro Quartet; Stoller Hall, Manchester, 5/2/25
Haydn String Quartet, Op. 50 No. 5 ‘Dream’; Berg Lyric Suite for String Quartet; Ravel String Quartet Op. 35 This String Quartet was founded in Berlin in 2019 and in 2022 they were awarded first prize at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet competition. The name means ‘Lionheart’ in Esperanto…….. This was a varied concert.Continue reading “Leonkoro Quartet; Stoller Hall, Manchester, 5/2/25”
Janacek, Jenufa: ROHCG, 23/1/25
Conductor, Jakub Hrůša; Jenůfa, Corinne Winters; Kostelničke a Buryjovka, Karita Mattila; Števa Buryja, Thomas Atkins; Laca Klemeň, Nicky Spence; Grandmother Buryjovka, Hanna Schwarz; Foreman, James Cleverton; Mayor, Jonathan Lemalu; Mayor’s Wife, Marie McLaughlin; Karolka, Valentina Puskás; Jana, Isabela DíazThis is the 4th live performance I have heard of Jenufa in the last 4 years, andContinue reading “Janacek, Jenufa: ROHCG, 23/1/25”
Mahler 2, Halle, Wong: Bridgewater Hall, 16/1/25
Kahchun Wong conductor, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha soprano, Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano, Hallé Choir, Hallé Youth Choir: Mahler Symphony No.2, ‘Resurrection’ I first heard Mahler 2 live in 1968, with Haitink, and have been to many fine performances since – it’s a work that seems to bring out the best in performers and, really, I can sayContinue reading “Mahler 2, Halle, Wong: Bridgewater Hall, 16/1/25”
Brahms, LSO, Rattle: Barbican, 9/1/25
Boulez, Éclat; George Benjamin, Interludes and Aria from Lessons in Love and Violence (world premiere); Brahms Symphony No 4. London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle conductor; Barbara Hannigan soprano It was nice to be back in a concert hall after 4 weeks with no live music. This was not a very generous concert, time-wise [thoughContinue reading “Brahms, LSO, Rattle: Barbican, 9/1/25”
My 10 best concerts and operas for 2024
After a lot of heart-searching, and In no particular order, these were: 1. Bruckner 8: Halle/Elder, Newcastle 2. R.Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Thielemann – Dresden Semperoper 3. Britten Curlew River: Bostridge, Aldeburgh 4. Wagner, Tannhauser: Bayreuth Festival 5. Bruckner 5: Berlin Philharmonic, Petrenko, BBC Proms 6. Bruckner 9 (+ performing version of finale): Halle,Continue reading “My 10 best concerts and operas for 2024”
Messiaen, BBC Philharmonic: Bridgewater Hall, 12/12/24
Messiaen Des canyons aux étoiles…Ludovic Morlot, conductor; Martin Owen, horn; Steven Osborne piano Following on from Tuesday’s performance -of La Rondine, I was reflecting on how relatively few years there are between the writing of, say, Turandot and Messiaen’s ‘From the Canyons to the Stars’…no more than about 50 years. That is well within theContinue reading “Messiaen, BBC Philharmonic: Bridgewater Hall, 12/12/24”
Puccini, La Rondine, LSO, Pappano, Barbican: 10/12/24
Concert performance – London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano conductor; Carolina López Moreno, Magda; Serena Gamberoni, Lisette; Michael Fabiano, Ruggero; Paul Appleby, Prunier; Ashley Riches, Rambaldo; Sarah Dufresne, Yvette/Giorgette; Angela Schisano, Bianca/Gabriele; Marvic Monreal, Suzy/Lolette; London Symphony Chorus Unusually for me, I had made a wrong judgement about seating in booking for this . IContinue reading ” Puccini, La Rondine, LSO, Pappano, Barbican: 10/12/24″
Advent Concert, Wiener Symphoniker. St Stephen’s Cathedral 6/12/24
Stéphane Denève, Conductor; Rosa Feola, soprano; Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde; Kate Lindsey, mezzo; Wiener Symphoniker. Programme included – Mass for Choir and Orchestra C major KV 167 “Trinity”, 2. Gloria, Mozart; Laudate Dominum, Mozart; German Dances KV 605, No. 3 C major “Sleigh Ride”, Mozart; ‘Ave Maria” for solo voice and organ, Saint-Saëns; ‘Carillon”, 3rd andContinue reading “Advent Concert, Wiener Symphoniker. St Stephen’s Cathedral 6/12/24”
John's musical journey 