London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano conductor. Asmik Grigorian, Salome; Michael Volle, Jochanaan; Violeta Urmana, Herodias; Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Herod; Niamh O’Sullivan, Page of Herodias; John Findon, Narraboth This was my third Salome in 5 months, which is a bit bonkers really, even though it is a wonderful score. This had the attractions of being: ThisContinue reading “R. Strauss, Salome. LSO, Pappano. Barbican, 13/7/25”
Tag Archives: classical-music
Handel, Semele, ROHCG. 30/6/25
Conductor, Christian Curnyn. Semele, Pretty Yende; Jupiter, Ben Bliss; Cadmus/Somnus, Brindley Sherratt; Athamas, Carlo Vistoli; Juno, Alice Coote; Ino, Niamh O’Sullivan; Iris, Marianna Hovanisyan. Director, Oliver Mears; Designer, Annemarie Woods; Lighting designer, Fabiana Piccioli; Movement Director; Sarah Fahie This was the first night of a new production at ROHCG. It has been my greatest musical pleasureContinue reading “Handel, Semele, ROHCG. 30/6/25”
Evgeny Kissin, piano. Barbican, 25/6/25
Bach Partita No 2; Chopin Nocturne No 1, Op 27, Nocturne No 2, Op 21, Scherzo No 4. Shostakovich Piano Sonata No 2, Prelude and Fugue in D-Flat Major, Prelude and Fugue in D-Minor I wanted to go to this recital partly because Kissin is a very significant pianist, and I was keen to hearContinue reading “Evgeny Kissin, piano. Barbican, 25/6/25”
Late Night Song Recital, Wigmore Hall 20/6/25 10pm
Songs by Schumann, Britten, Copland, Dove and others, performed by Nicky Spence tenor; Clare Presland mezzo-soprano; Andrew Matthews-Owen piano; Robert Rinder presenter This was an interesting programme, centred around songs from Schumann’s song cycle Frauenbliebe und Leben. Nicky Spence I know as an ENO Siegmund and a fine tenor in several of the Janacek operasContinue reading “Late Night Song Recital, Wigmore Hall 20/6/25 10pm”
Song Recital, Wigmore Hall 20/6/25 7pm
Benjamin Appl baritone; Simon Lepper piano. Songs by Schubert, Kurtag, Brahms, Liszt and Eisler This was a recital I was looking forward to as a challenge – to explore works new to me. Appl, a much-praised young German singer, was the last student Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau took on, and so Appl has set up a European tourContinue reading “Song Recital, Wigmore Hall 20/6/25 7pm”
Wagner, The Flying Dutchman. Opera Holland Park. 12/6/25
Paul Carey Jones, The Dutchman; Eleanor Dennis, Senta; Robert Winslade Anderson, Daland; Neal Cooper, Erik; Angharad Lyddon, Mary; Colin Judson, Steersman. Peter Selwyn, Conductor; Julia Burbach, Director; Naomi Dawson, Set Designer; Sussie Juhlin-Wallén, Costume Designer; Robert Price, Lighting Designer. I haven’t been to the Holland Park Opera set-up since 2021 (when I saw excellent productionsContinue reading “Wagner, The Flying Dutchman. Opera Holland Park. 12/6/25”
Rossini, Barber of Seville. Met Opera HD screening, Sheffield Curzon Cinema, 31/5/25
Conductor, Giacomo Sagripanti; Rosina, Aigul Akhmetshina; Count Almaviva, Jack Swanson; Figaro, Andrey Zhilikhovsky; Dr. Bartolo, Peter Kálmán; Don Basilio, Alexander Vinogradov. Director, Bartlett Sher; Set Designer, Michael Yeargan; Costumes, Catherine Zuber It is a long time since I’ve heard the Barber of Seville – it’s probably 45-50 years since I’ve heard it live in theContinue reading “Rossini, Barber of Seville. Met Opera HD screening, Sheffield Curzon Cinema, 31/5/25”
Unsuk Chin/Beethoven. Halle, Wong. Bridgewater Hall. 29/5/25
Kahchun Wong, conductor; Wu Wei, sheng; Nardus Williams, soprano; Susan Bickley, mezzo-soprano; Nicky Spence, tenor; William Thomas, bass; Hallé Choir, Matthew Hamilton choral director. Unsuk Chin, Su. Beethoven Symphony No.9, ‘Choral’ David Butcher, the Halle CEO, said before the beginning of this concert that Halle ticket sales were 33% up this season compared to theContinue reading “Unsuk Chin/Beethoven. Halle, Wong. Bridgewater Hall. 29/5/25”
Mozart/Beethoven/ Elgar; Ensemble 360, Crucible, Sheffield, 24/5/25
Mozart Flute Quartet in D K285; Beethoven Quintet for Piano and Wind Op.16; Elgar Piano Quintet Op.84 It’s a pity I have been to so little of the Ensemble 360 annual Chamber Music Festival – a lot of good things to go and see (20 concerts) but in the event this was only the second and last I’veContinue reading “Mozart/Beethoven/ Elgar; Ensemble 360, Crucible, Sheffield, 24/5/25”
Ravel / Farrenc/ Durufle/ Schumann.: Ensemble 360, Crucible, Sheffield,19/5/25
Ravel (arr. Farrington) Mother Goose Suite ; Farrenc Sextet; DURUFLÉ Prélude, récitatif et variations; Schumann Piano Quintet in E flat Op.44 This was a varied and interesting programme, with the best definitely last…..The Ravel piece I know from its full chamber orchestra version – here it had one each of strings, woodwind, horn and percussion,Continue reading “Ravel / Farrenc/ Durufle/ Schumann.: Ensemble 360, Crucible, Sheffield,19/5/25”
John's musical journey 