Reviews vom 31.8.2014
Salzburg
The Ringmaster Leaves Salzburg
Alexander Pereira Leaves Austrian Festival for La Scala
read more
Paris
France’s New Music Temple Philharmonie de Paris Prepares to Open Amid Controversy
read more
London
Prom 55 and 56, classical reviews
Mehr Info
Prom 56: LPO/Jurowski review – cosmic in scope and intention Royal Albert Hall, London
Vladimir Jurowski made the most familiar of scores sound fresh, and Holst’s The Planets was particularly exciting
Mehr Info
Salomé’s feminine wiles have inspired writers, painters and musicians for 2,000 years
read more
Edinburgh
Harry Partch – how Heiner Goebbels bought Delusion of the Fury to Edinburgh
US composer Harry Partch invented an entirely new musical language and created an orchestra of new instruments to play it on. Heiner Goebbels tells Kate Molleson about his production of Partch’s most radical work, coming to Edinburgh this week.
read more
Melbourne
Carpenter and Boesch spice up 2015 at Melbourne Recital Centre
read more
Feuilleton
Maria Callas takes the Ice Bucket Challenge
http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/maria-callas-takes-ice-bucket-challenge
Reviews vom 31.8.2014
Amsterdam
Prim but not so proper:
A radiant Lenneke Ruiten in the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century’s sparkling Così fan tutte http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-cosi-spanjaard-amsterdam-august-2014
London
Composer of tragicomic tale of Anna Nicole Smith opera: How pop culture inspired me
read more
A Modern Heroine Returns to Center Stage Revival of “Anna Nicole’ Opera Comes to London
read more
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra/Chung/Wu review –
playful and stylish sheng odyssey Royal Albert Hall, London Unsuk Chin’s sheng concerto brilliantly blended western and Chinese instruments
read more
Edinburgh
Les Troyens, Mariinsky Opera/Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, review: ‘lacked finesse’
A rough-and-ready performance of Berlioz’s neoclassical epic
read more
Les Troyens review – Mariinsky without the magic Festival theatre, Edinburgh
Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Opera make Berlioz’s magnificent opera seem routine
read more
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Jansons review – too controlled Usher Hall, Edinburgh
The great Dutch ensemble was as responsive as always, but needed more jolt and frenzy in its Ravel and Shostakovich
read more
Russians bearing gifts: Mariinsky Opera brings Les Troyens to the Edinburgh Festival
read more
Washington
Peking Opera at Kennedy Center has the right moves, if not the best sounds
read more
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera’s 2014-15 Season to Feature AIDA, LA BOHEME & More
read more
Reviews vom 29.8.2014
Bayreuth
From kebab shop to the New York Stock Exchange:
Attila Jun stars in Bayreuth’s Gotterdämmerung
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-gotterdammerung-bayreuth-august-2014
London
The small rewards of small-scale opera Neither
OperaUpClose’s La traviata nor Finborough Theatre’s production of Boughton’s The Immortal Hour quite cut it
http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts/opera/9298032/the-small-rewards-of-small-scale-opera/
“Better late than never”: Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducts Beethoven at a late night Prom http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-prom-54-gardiner-missa-solemnis-august-2014
Edinburgh /Weitere “Wilhelm Tell”-Reviews
William Tell review – Noseda does justice to Rossini’s freedom fighter Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Teatro Regio Torino’s sparkling concert-performance of the full Rossini opera proves there’s more to it than the ‘Lone Ranger’ overture
read more
Guglielmo Tell, Usher Hall, review: ‘hugely enjoyable’
A concert performance of this rare Rossini opera was rewarding, says Rupert Christiansen
Mehr Info
Houston
The Houston Grand Opera Announces 60th Anniversary Season,
Featuring World Premiere of A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Iain Bell and More
Mehr Info
Los Angeles
L.A. Opera to host screening of ‘La Traviata’ at Santa Monica Pier
read more
Sidney
VIDEO: Incredible footage of Madama Butterfly live in Sydney
Harbour EXCLUSIVE preview of CinemaLive’s UK screenings of Opera Australia’s spectacular open-air production of Madama Butterfly
read more
Reviews vom 28.8.2014
Bayreuth
Wagner and Verfremdungseffekt: outstanding singing and subversive direction in Bayreuth’s Siegfried http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-siegfried-bayreuth-august-2014
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Composer’s Opera Incites Violence
A violent attack on a local composer is the latest in a series of incidents targeting his most recent composition. http://www.sptimes.ru/story/40618
London Prom 53: Budapest Festival Orchestra/Fischer review
– beauty that showed Brahms’ muscle Royal Albert Hall, London This all-Brahms programmed showcased the orchestra’s plush sound, but insights came at the price of momentum
read more
Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne 2015 hopes to bring highbrow opera to the masses
Opera festival’s organisers say Donizetti’s Poliuto, written in 1838, will be staged at the annual performances, which have doubled their audiences this year
read more
Edinburgh
Guglielmo Tell, Teatro Regio Torino, Noseda, Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Wildly thrilling Festival performance enough to convert anyone to Rossini
read more
András Schiff hypnotises Edinburgh Festival audience
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-andras-schiff-edinburgh-festival-august-2014
Los Angeles
“Opera Olympics’ returns to Los Angeles
Plácido Domingo’s Operalia competition showcases the best young talent in opera from around the world
read more
Placido Domingo kicks off Operalia, says he’s up for L.A. Opera opener
read more
Ottawa
Ottawa’s Opera Lyra replaces singer fired for remarks during Pride festivities
read more
Feuilleton
Classical music students – the future’s bright, just use your imagination
Earlier this month, Julian Lloyd Webber gave a speech to music students at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Here, we reprint it in full.
read more
Reviews vom 27.8.2014
London
Madame X review – thriller undone by excess of allusions
Arcola theatre, London Tim Benjamin has transported Don Giovanni’s Masetto and Zerlina to London for this postmodern take on artistic corruptiol
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/aug/26/madame-x-review-tim-benjamin-opera
Madame X (Arcola Theatre)
The Grimeborn Festival presents Tim Benjamin’s new opera about art, murder and revenge
read more
BBC Prom 52, Budapest Festival Orchestra, review: ‘unerring’
The Budapest Festival Orchestra’s first of two Proms showed exactly what sets them apart, says John Allison
read more
Edingburgh
Edinburgh International Festival: Takács Quartet 02
read more
Boston
Nelsons takes the reins at BSO,
Handel and Haydn’s 200th anniversary spotlighted in a busy Boston season
read more
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Ballet’s new Don Quixote
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-don-quixote-hong-kong-ballet-august-2014
Berlin/ Tanz im August
Rätsel um die Venus und den Urmenschen
Sieben Fechterinnen im Museum: Allein schon wegen der Entdeckung des Choreografen Marcos Moreau und seiner großartigen Gruppe La Veronal hat sich Berlins “Tanz im August” unter neuer Leitung gelohnt.
Mehr Info
Bregenz
Bregenzer Festspiele lockten knapp 264.000 Zuseher
Die Bregenzer Festspiele sind Montagabend mit der Abschluss-Aufführung der “Zauberflöte” im Regen zu Ende gegangen
Mehr Info
Salzburg
In der Jugendherberge noch schnell die Rache-Arie üben
Das Young Singers Project hält die Opernstars von morgen in Atem: Salzburg ist für sie eine begehrte Drehscheibe
Mehr Info
Reviews vom 26.8.2014
London BBC Prom 50, Czech Philharmonic, review: ‘very subtle’
Ivan Hewett was transported to ‘Middle Europe’ by the horns of the Czech Philharmonic
Mehr Info
Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne announces its 2015 season
Next year’s festival will offer an imaginative mix of revivals and new productions
read more
Presteigne
Presteigne festival review – Łukaszewski premiere and Sculthorpe tribute St Andrew’s Church,
Presteigne Specially commissioned Łukaszewski Requiem felt sincere but slow
read more
New York
Letting a Sonata Take Charge of Its Space
Patricia Kopatchinskaja in A Little Night Music
read more
New York
Theater Ballet Sets New Season
read more
Long Beach
Review John Adams’ ‘Ceiling/Sky’ remains earthbound
read more
Adelaide
A thrilling Satyagraha as a Philip Glass opera-ballet in Adelaide
read more
Feuilleton
Why is opera so expensive? Well, no more than football
The issue of opera ticket prices is a heated one – but there are more factors at play than you think, says Rupert Christiansen
read more
Reviews vom 25.8.2014
Bayreuth
Oleg Bryjak impresses in Frank Castorf’s striking, tawdry and generally baffling Das Rheingold
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-das-rheingold-frank-castorf-bayreuth-august-2014
Back to Baku: Die Walküre in Bayreuth
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-die-walkure-bayreuth-august-2014
London
Acis & Galatea: Eboracum Baroque @ Arcola Theatre, London
Mehr Info
BBC Proms 2014, Prom 49, BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo, review: ‘fairy tale flavour’
Sakari Oramo relished the musical complexity of Jukka Tiensuu, says John Allison
read more
A role worth dying for Swedish soprano Nina Stemme tells
Jessica Duchen that playing the tragic Salome is one of her biggest challenges yet
read more
Grimborne
Grimeborn: The Medium review –
a deft, intrepid production Arcola, London E8 Menotti takes flight in more ways than one at Grimeborn
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/24/classicalmusicandopera
Glyndebourne
My favourite Mozart opera
A new production of Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) will be among the highlights of Glyndebourne’s Festival 2015. Rupert Christiansen explains its brilliance
read more
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Festival 2014: Sweet Mambo, Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, review: ‘melancholy loveliness’
Pina Bausch’s final work is here imbued with a swooning and emotional atmosphere, says Sarah Crompton
read more
New York
Laura Kaminsky Named Composer in Residence at American Opera Projects
read more
Stream
3. Aufzug “Walküre” aus dem ROH:
The Opera Machine
The Opera Machine presents an extraordinary multi-angled view of the intricate theatrical process behind the scenes during a performance.
http://www.roh.org.uk/opera-machine
Reviews vom 24.8.2014
Turin
Turin Opera’s Music Director Threatens to Leave
read more
London
BBC Proms 2014: Prom 48, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, review: ‘business-like’
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra had warmth and emotional engagement on its debut, a quality that appeared lacking in conductor Ilan Volkov, says Ivan Hewett
read more
Wall, Mørk, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Davis, Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Heartfelt Schumann outplays heavyweight Strauss and lunatic Grainger
read more
Grimborne /Weitere “Werther”-Review:
Grimeborn Festival: Werther, Arcola Theatre, review: ‘stylish and darkly intense’
The Grimeborn Festival version of Massenet’s romantic tragedy Werther ranks as one of the more stylish and imaginative, says Rupert Christiansen
read more
Edinburgh
Seriously high mischief: Gianni Schicchi is an Edinburgh Fringe delight
read more
New York
The Metropolitan Opera’s Peter Gelb: A High-Stakes Gambler
Who Doesn’t Walk Away Company’s General Manager Made a Name for Himself by Betting on Big Projects
read more
Feuilleton
Patrice Chéreau’s Testament
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/patrice-chereaus-testament/
Reviews vom 23.8.2014
London
BBC Proms 2014: War Requiem, CBSO, review: ‘powerful restraint’
Conductor Andris Nelsons brought meditative sadness to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s performance, says Ivan Hewett
read more
Grimborne
Werther (Arcola Theatre)
WOS Opera Poll winner Aylin Bozok returns to the Grimeborn summer festival with Massenet’s dark romance
read more
A wonderful tale of woe: Massenet’s Werther at Grimeborn
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-werther-grimeborn-bozok-august-2014
Edinburgh
Concerto Italiano/Alessandrini review –
a finely shaped programme of Monteverdi songs Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh Bold and stylish instrumental playing gave this performance its brilliant vivacity – adding to its dramatic, raunchy storytelling http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/22/concerto-italiano-alessandrini-review
New York
Metropolitan Opera Reaches Settlement With Last Unions
read more
Adelaide
Adelaide Glass Trilogy:Einstein on the Beach a mesmerising experience in four acts http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-einstein-beach-glass-adelaide-august-2014
Feuilleton
Interview Vittorio Grigolo on Getting Young People to the Opera
The 37-year old Italian tenor talks about playing Romeo, the joys of outdoor theater and ‘popera’
read more
Soloflötist Andreas Blau: Luft in ihrer edelsten Form
Mehr Info
Pforzheim
Neues Duo besitzt viel Erfahrung mit Musiktheater
Mehr Info
Reviews vom 22.8.2014
Luzern
Arabs and Israelis Find Common Ground Under a Baton Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra Delivers
read more
An unqualified success: Nelsons conducts Brahms in Lucerne
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-nelsons-mingardo-lucerne-august-2014
London
The Ring Cycle Plays, The Scoop, London – review
This open-air stage adaptation of Wagner’s operatic cycle is ambitious and entertaining
read more
Prom 46: Daniel Barenboim, West-Eastern Divan Orchestra – Review
read more
New York
Shakespeare’s Preening Con Man, as Seen by Salieri,
Then Updated The Lesser-Known “Falstaff,’ in 1980s Clothing
read more
China’s Peking Opera company marks anniversary with U.S. tour
read more
San Francisco Vorschau
Fall arts 2014: Classical Music
Mehr Info
Adelaide
Akhnaten at State Opera of South Australia: a world first for Philip Glass’ portrait operas
read more
Feuilleton
14 Artists Who Are Transforming The Future Of Opera
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/20/opera-artists_n_5691781.html
Reviews vom 21.8.2014
Luzern
Her Hands Lead, Her Voice Follows
Barbara Hannigan Sings and Conducts at the Lucerne Festival
read more
Bayreuth
A “closed system” of Tannhäuser production implodes in Bayreuth
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-tannhauser-bayreuth-august-2014
London
Interview Peter Maxwell Davies at 80: “The music knows things that I don’t’
Last year Peter Maxwell Davies was given six weeks to live. Despite “absolutely revolting’ chemotherapy and a blood clot that almost killed him, he went on to complete his 10th Symphony, and now he’s about to celebrate his 80th birthday
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/19/peter-maxwell-davies-at-80-interview
Daniel Barenboim: My orchestra is a political laboratory
As Daniel Barenboim brings his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra to the Proms, he talks to Ivan Hewett about the problems of the Middle East
read more
Edinburgh
Owen Wingrave (Edinburgh International Festival)
Neil Bartlett’s production of Britten’s opera is timely and moving
read more
Ravinia
Festival Ravinia’s intimate Mozart magic remains with Conlon’s well-cast “Figaro”
read more
Sidney
Opera ticket sales fall, but other live shows are more popular than ever
Pop music is up and opera, comedy and musicals are down, Australian live performance industry association figures show
read more
Feuilleton
Symphony guide: Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique
The most innovative symphony of the 19th century was born from diabolical passions
read more
Reviews vom 20.8.2014
Salzburg
Who Needs A Room?
The Lobby Has Drama „About a week ago, I was chatting at the Salzburg Festival with a friend who had seen the German director Sven-Eric Bechtolf’s recent staging of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in Vienna. “I hated it,” he said. “But I can’t remember why.” A couple of days after taking in Mr. Bechtolf’s version of “Don Giovanni,” (…), I can see what my friend meant. “
read more
London
Sir Andrew Davis: The returning hero
The Proms just wouldn’t be the same without Andrew Davis, says John Allison – as the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s one-time chief conductor heads back to Britain
read more
Prom 43: Skride, BBCSO, Gardner
Cannonades all round as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture follows Rachmaninov and Stravinsky
http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/prom-43-skride-bbcso-gardner
Proms Chamber Music 5: Schwanewilms and Martineau sparkle, but fail to move
Mehr Info
Edinburgh
Edinburgh International Festival: Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-karabits-shostakovich-edinburgh-festival-august-2014
New York
In Surprise Finale at Metropolitan Opera’s Labor Talks, Both Sides Agree to Cuts
read more
Downtown Dance Festival, Wagner Park, Lower Manhattan, New York – review
The first night offered contrasting takes on classic Americana, including a Pete Seeger tribute
read more
Glimmerglass Festival, Cooperstown Upstate,
Not Upstaged Forging Connections Between the Opera Company and its Rural Community
http://online.wsj.com/articles/opera-review-glimmerglass-festival-1408400995
Long Beach
John Adams Explains Why His Northridge Earthquake Opera Took 19 Years to Reach L.A.
Mehr Info
Feuilleton
Play it again: how to make an opera’s second run a success
How do you make an old and over-performed opera feel fresh and new? Start by reexamining the score, writes one conductor
Mehr Info
The future of new music is at risk if we continue to undervalue composers
Professional composers are being asked to create new pieces for “shockingly low’ fees, Sound and Music report finds
Mehr Info
Salzburg
Who Needs A Room?
The Lobby Has Drama „About a week ago, I was chatting at the Salzburg Festival with a friend who had seen the German director Sven-Eric Bechtolf’s recent staging of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in Vienna. “I hated it,” he said. “But I can’t remember why.” A couple of days after taking in Mr. Bechtolf’s version of “Don Giovanni,” (…), I can see what my friend meant. “
read more
London
Sir Andrew Davis: The returning hero
The Proms just wouldn’t be the same without Andrew Davis, says John Allison – as the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s one-time chief conductor heads back to Britain
read more
Prom 43: Skride, BBCSO, Gardner
Cannonades all round as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture follows Rachmaninov and Stravinsky
http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/prom-43-skride-bbcso-gardner
Proms Chamber Music 5: Schwanewilms and Martineau sparkle, but fail to move
Mehr Info
Edinburgh
Edinburgh International Festival: Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-karabits-shostakovich-edinburgh-festival-august-2014
New York
In Surprise Finale at Metropolitan Opera’s Labor Talks, Both Sides Agree to Cuts
read more
Downtown Dance Festival, Wagner Park, Lower Manhattan, New York – review
The first night offered contrasting takes on classic Americana, including a Pete Seeger tribute
read more
Glimmerglass Festival, Cooperstown Upstate,
Not Upstaged Forging Connections Between the Opera Company and its Rural Community
http://online.wsj.com/articles/opera-review-glimmerglass-festival-1408400995
Long Beach
John Adams Explains Why His Northridge Earthquake Opera Took 19 Years to Reach L.A.
Mehr Info
Feuilleton
Play it again: how to make an opera’s second run a success
How do you make an old and over-performed opera feel fresh and new? Start by reexamining the score, writes one conductor
Mehr Info
The future of new music is at risk if we continue to undervalue composers
Professional composers are being asked to create new pieces for “shockingly low’ fees, Sound and Music report finds
Mehr Info
Reviews vom 19.8.2014
London
The Mariinsky Ballet, Royal Opera House, review: ‘A happy whirlwind of speed and precision’
read more
Prom 40: LSO/Haitink review –
Mahler with poise and intensity Bernard Haitink found fascinating detail in Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, while Schubert’s Fifth seemed almost effortless
read more
Prom 41/Prom 42, Royal Albert Hall, London, review: ‘From quietly devastating to outright heartbreak’
read more
BBC Prom 42, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, review: ‘reflective’
This programme of compositions dedicated to the First World War make you feel near the atrocities but also helplessly removed from the fallen, says Ben Lawrence
read more
“Lest we forget”: Vaughan Williams’ Pastoral Symphony ends a poignant night at the Proms
read more
Edinburgh
War Requiem/Missa “L’homme armé’, Edinburgh International Festival – review Beautifully performed Britten easily eclipsed a jarring mash-up of Dufay and Heider
read more
Collegium Vocale Gent/Herreweghe – this Bach needed more beef Usher Hall, Edinburgh
The period ensemble performed Bach’s Mass in B Minor gracefully, but their detailed sound was swallowed up by the hall
read more
New York
New York’s Met Opera Reaches Deals With Singers,
Orchestra Members Agreement is Significant Step Toward Resolving Labor Strife Rocking Company for Months
read more
Washington
Washington National Opera to Open 2014-15 Season with “Florencia in the Amazon,’ Inspired by Writings of Gabriel García Márquez
read more
San Francisco
Merola Grand Finale 2014 offers little to remember
http://www.examiner.com/article/merola-grand-finale-2014-offers-little-to-remember
Sidney
Hans Krása’s Brundibár in Sydney: a moral lesson to young and old alike
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-brundibar-opera-prometheus-sydney-august-2014
Reviews vom 18.8.2014
Pesaro
Rossini Opera Festival: Aureliano in Palmira, Barber of Seville review
http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/499927/Rossini-Opera-Festival-review
London
Cinderella, Mariinsky Ballet, Royal Opera House, review: ‘anti-climactic’
The Mariinsky Ballet’s wonderful season came to a slightly disappointing end, says Laura Thompson
read more
Ratmansky’s Mariinsky Cinderella: Once upon an urban fairy tale
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-cinderella-vishneva-ratmansky-mariinsky-august-2014
BBC Proms: Prom 36/Prom 37, review: ‘Symphonic scope’
read more
BBC Proms 2014: Benedict Mason premiere, review: ‘breathtaking’
The new piece by Benedict Mason overturned all preconceptions about what a music piece should be, says John Allison
Mehr Info
A sundry yet successful 250-year selection at Prom 39
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-prom-39-heldenleben-stenz-bbcsso-august-2014
Edingburgh
Enough war to last several lifetimes at the Edinburgh festival 2014
Review: Hespèrion XXI, The Sixteen, Collegium Vocale Gent, Ian Bostridge and Julius Drake, Alban Gerhardt and Steven Osborne
read more
Lemper, SCO, Foster, Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Full orchestral back-up for the charismatic chanteuse in trademark Weill and others
http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/lemper-sco-foster-usher-hall-edinburgh
New York
A Contemporary Riddle for Champions of the Harp. Xavier de Maistre Makes His New York Debut
Mehr Info
Feuilleton
Kommt das “Digitale Orchester”?
Our Musical Future? “Live” Performances And The “Second Machine Age”
Mehr Info
Salzburg
Young Singers Project: Eine Handvoll Hoffnung
Eine Handvoll Sänger will man wiederhören. Und man wird sie wiederhören
Mehr Info
Reviews vom 17.8.2014
Salzburg
At Salzburg Festival, Mixed Results for New Productions “Il Trovatore’ and “Fierrabras’ at Salzburg Festival
read more
Bayreuth
Nike Wagner: I was bitter at my Bayreuth ousting
Defeated in the battle to rule Bayreuth, Nike Wagner has moved on to Beethoven, she tells Ivan Hewett
read more
London
La traviata (Soho Theatre)
Award-winning pocket company OperaUpClose turns its attention to Verdi’s beloved tearjerker
read more
The Proms and the first world war
Preserved programmes indicate lots of British composers, no new German music and women in the orchestra
read more
Benedict Mason’s Meld: the weirdest ever Prom?
Notorious for confounding expectations with experimental compositions, Benedict Mason is likely to confuse us all again with Meld at the Proms
read more
New York
Mozartless Mostly Mozart program hits its stride with Yuja Wang
read more
Tanglewood
Philharmonia Baroque’s “Teseo” teeters between broad comedy, deeper emotions at Tanglewood
read more
Forth Worth
David T. Little’s ‘JFK’ Opera to Premiere at Fort Worth April 2016, Royce Varek Composing Libretto
read more
Reviews vom 16.8.2014
Todesmeldung
Opera Star Cristina Deutekom Dies
http://www.contactmusic.com/story/opera-star-cristina-deutekom-dies_4326090
Bayreuth
A Bayreuth Virgin The Prelude
Mehr Info
A Bayreuth Virgin The Afterglow
read more
London BBC Proms: Steve Reich, Royal Albert Hall, London – review
Conducted by David Hill, the BBC Singers and Endymion got to the heart of “The Desert Music’
Mehr Info
Prom 38: BBC Philharmonic/Storgårds review – heart-on-sleeve Sibelius Royal Albert Hall, London
John Storgårds delivers a thrilling finale to compatriot Sibelius’s Second Symphony, rounding out his Proms appearance with solid performances of Peter Maxwell Davies and Frank Bridge
read more
New York
Ragamala Dance & Rudresh Mahanthappa, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, New York – review
A successful blending of Indian dance and melody with jazz saxophone
read more
San Diego
Revised Ending In April, San Diego Opera announced that it was closing its doors and shocked the opera world. What happened next was even more surprising. Fred Cohn reports.
read more
Los Angeles
L.A. Opera adds ‘Traviata’ performance with Placido Domingo
read more
Singapore
Facing Goya, Victoria Theatre, Singapore – review
Singapore’s International Arts Festival provides an ideal setting for Michael Nyman’s opera
read more
Melbourne
Music review: Jonas Kaufmann, Opera Australia, Hamer Hall
read more
Feuilleton
Joyce DiDonato tells you how to get to Carnegie Hall
http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/joyce-didonatos-tips-audition-success
Why watching classical music through
Google Glass is a waste of time Concerts filmed on Google Glass are just an experience-destroying form of reality television, says Ivan Hewett
read more
Reviews vom 15.8.2014
Auf einen Nachtspaziergang im Kunstmuseum
Il Trovatore in Salzburg
Mehr Info
Hommage à Giacinto Scelsi
mit Sylvain Cambreling und dem Klangforum Wien am ersten Tag von „Scelsi Revisited
Mehr Info
Salzburg
At Salzburg Festival, Mixed Results for New Productions “Il Trovatore’ and “Fierrabras’ at Salzburg Festival
Mehr Info
Amsterdam
Dutch conductor Frans Brüggen has died aged 79
The recorder player, flautist and key figure in Holland’s early music scene passed away at his home in Amsterdam
read more
Pesaro
Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro, Italy – review
There were boos and cheers, but nowhere will you come closer to the real Rossini than Pesaro http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/114baeda-22cb-11e4-8dae-00144feabdc0.html
London Prom 35: Søndergård charts a sure progress through Sibelius’ Fifth
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-prom-35-sondergard-ehnes-bbcnow-august-2014
Prom 36, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo, review:
‘glowing and impassioned’ An all-English programme received a deeply felt performance from the BBC SO and conductor Sakari Oramo, says Ivan Hewett
read more
Prom 37: BBC Singers/Endymion/Hill review
– draining and exhilarating Royal Albert Hall, London The performers rose superbly to a programme of hard-hitting protest works by Steve Reich on the theme of nuclear crisis
read more
Edinburgh
Patricia Kopatchinskaja: Wild child of classical violin
She’s described as the world’s most exciting violinist. Now Patricia Kopatchinskaja is making her debut at the Edinburgh Festival. She talks to Ivan Hewett
read more
Collegium Vocale Gent, Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh – review
The “tears of St Peter’ resonated powerfully with the austere surroundings of Greyfriars Kirk
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/305dfa22-22cf-11e4-8dae-00144feabdc0.html
New York
Enlivening Beethoven With a Sprightly Pace
Gianandrea Noseda Conducts Beethoven at Mostly Mozart
read more
Santa Fe
The Santa Fe Opera’s wild, crazy and fabulous “Don Pasquale’
Mehr Info
Reviews vom 14.8.2014
Prag Vorschau
Rare Dvořák opera to be performed in Prague
Dvořák’s first opera, Alfred, will take centre stage at this year’s Prague Dvořák Festival
read more
London
La Traviata review
Verdi’s tragedy reworked for senators and courtesans Soho Theatre, London Opera Up Close transplant La Traviata in seedy 1920s America for a tight and compelling five-piece moral drama
Mehr Info
The Immortal Hour, Finborough Theatre, review:
‘tantalising’ Rutland Boughton’s ‘music-drama’, The Immortal Hour, gets a brave and intriguing revival, says Rupert Christiansen read more
The Immortal Hour (Finborough Theatre)
Rutland Boughton’s half-forgotten opera is revived for its centenary
read more
A Taste of Russian Dance in London
read more
William Alwyn’s symphonic vision: will it be vindicated at the Proms?
Alwyn’s First Symphony, panned by snobbish critics in 1950, is about to receive its first performance in more than 60 years
read more
BBC Proms, Cadogan Hall and Royal Albert Hall, London – review
Janine Jansen and Sakari Oramo were a virtuoso violin duo, but Strauss fell flat in the evening
read more
Prom 35: Søndergård charts a sure progress through Sibelius’ Fifth
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-prom-35-sondergard-ehnes-bbcnow-august-2014
Sidney
A ten out of tenor performance from a vocal virtuoso Jonas Kaufmann
read more
Mozart-Lackmustest
Ihre Belcanto-Akademie hat Natela Nicoli zum Wettbewerb umgeformt.
http://www.kleinezeitung.at/nachrichten/kultur/3711479/mozart-lackmustest.s
Reviews vom 13.8.2014
Salzburg
Salzburg Festival’s “Charlotte Salomon’ Falls Short on Drama
read more
London
Mariinsky triple bill, Royal Opera House, London – review
An expertly danced Fokine and a fizzing Ratmansky finale sandwiched a mediocre helping of Ashton
read more
Sir Neville Marriner revisits a celebrated Walton film score in Prom 32
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-prom-32-marriner-bell-hurt-august-2014
Prom 34: BBCNOW/Søndergård – unwieldy start leads to emotional payoff Royal Albert Hall, London
Mannered during the Mozart and Strauss, the Danish conductor was most at home with his idol, Nielsen
read more
Edinburgh
Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time transfixes Edinburgh International Festival audienc
read more
New York
New Deadline Set for the Metropolitan Opera’s Labor Talks
read more
Sidney
Opera Australia’s artistic director Lyndon Terracini unveils lavish 2015 season
read more
Elixir of Love a carefully choreographed comedy
read more
Reviews vom 12.8.2014
Torre del Lago
Torre del Lago 25th July 2014 Puccini : Il trittico / Torre del Lago, 3rd August 2014
Mehr Info
London
Apollo/ A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Royal Opera House:
a heavenly double bill from the Mariinsky Ballet A rarely seen Balanchine ballet is a revelation – as is a young dancer from Hull – in the Mariinsky’s double bill at the Royal Opera House
read more
BBC Proms: BBC Symphony Orchestra/Oramo, Royal Albert Hall, London – review
Sakari Oramo conducted a thoroughly eclectic programme
read more
Glyndebourne
Rinaldo, Glyndebourne, review: “consistently charming“
When Rupert Christiansen first saw Robert Carsen’s production of Rinaldo three years ago, he didn’t like it at all. Now he thinks he got it wrong
read more
Rinaldo @ Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Lewes
read more
Rinaldo (Glyndebourne)
Robert Carsen takes the Crusades into the classroom as one of Handel’s most tuneful operas is revived
read more
Rinaldo at Glyndebourne: If only all history lessons were this much fun!
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-rinaldo-glyndebourne-carsen-august-2014
New York
Met’s Labor Woes Divide Opera Fans as Well as Participants
read more
Sidney
Jonas Kaufmann review – a technical master with devilish charm Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
German tenor delights on his first Australian tour with masterful technical control coupled with an endearingly playful side
read more
Jonas Kaufmann’s golden voice unleashes a whole world of emotion
read more
Melbourne
Simone Young conducts confident, competent performance
see more
Reviews vom 11.8.2014
London
De Staat/Multi-Story Orchestra; BBC Proms 27, 19, 25 – review
Peckham car park; Royal Albert Hall, London Spirits soared to Andriessen’s Plato in Peckham – and John Tavener’s vision of eternity
read more
Proms Saturday Matinee 2: Lapland Chamber Orchestra, review
The EU’s most northerly professional orchestra is serious and ingenious, says John Allison
read more
Edinburgh
Edinburgh International Festival Opening Concert, RSNO, Knussen, Usher Hall
Debussy, Schoenberg and Scriabin induce only mild ennui in an unfestive launch
read more
Perth, Schottland
Athalia: Ludus Baroque brings Jacobite delight to Perth
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-ludus-baroque-athalia-august-2014
New York
Great Divide at the Concert Hall Black Composers Discuss the Role of Race
read more
Santa Fe
Santa Fe Opera’s leaden “Dr. Sun Yat-sen” leaves one hungry for more musical substance
read more
Sidney
Arts: Opera from WWII
Jewish ghetto performed for first time in Sydney
read more
Reviews vom 10.8.2014
Bari
The Lights Go Out On Italy’s Fourth Largest Opera House
read more
London
Interview Daniel Harding: ‘Telling a young musician to be patient is like telling Wayne Rooney to score more goals’
He conducted the CBSO at 19 and the Berlin Philharmonic at 21, but it has not always been easy for the prodigy Claudio Abbado called ‘my little genius’
read more
Sir Neville Marriner, 90, becomes oldest Proms conductor
Sir Neville will conduct Beethoven’s First Symphony and Bruch’s First Violin Concerto more than 50 years after he first appeared on stage
read more
Cole Porter: a tribute at the Proms
Following the first BBC Prom for the composer, is the classical tradition ready to accept him? http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/ce3bb0a2-1bd3-11e4-9db1-00144feabdc0.html
Prom 28, BBC Symphony Orchestra, review: ‘more striving than stormy’
The first Prom from the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s conductor Sakari Oramo focused on some unusual, introspective pieces, says John Allison
read more
Gateshead
National Youth Orchestra/Gardner review
18-year-old Roberto Ruisi makes his borrowed Stradivarius sing Gardner developed an instant rapport, igniting individual sections throughout the mysterious nocturne like fireflies
read more
New York
All Brahms, by the (Smaller) Numbers Mostly Mozart, With the Conductor Paavo Jarvi
read more
A mixed Mostly Mozart program finds its tempo giusto
read more
An Old Love Story, Tinkered for the Times
Mark Morris Dance Performs “Acis and Galatea’
read more
Santa Fe
Santa Fe Opera’s sustained high note
read more
Stravinsky and Mozart make colorful music together in Santa Fe Opera double bill
read more
Seattle
An opera contest of Wagnerian proportions
David Danholt and Issachah Savage dominated the International Wagner Competition at McCaw Hall on Aug. 7, 2014.
http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2024273937_wagnercompetitionxml.html
Reviews vom 9.8.2014
Erl
The 24-Hour-Ring in Erl ends with fire and passion in Götterdämmerung
read more
London
Prom 28 review – BBCSO/Oramo, Oedipus Rex the choruses take on an implacable force Royal Albert Hall, London
Other conductors may find more tenderness in the score, but Oramo made the whole thing taut and tragically inevitable
read more
Electric Stravinsky outshines Brett Dean at the Proms
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-prom-28-oedipus-rex-oramo-august-2014
Solo for Two, Osipova/Vasiliev, London Coliseum
Arthur Pita’s black comedy makes up for greige tedium from Cherkaoui and Naharin
http://www.theartsdesk.com/dance/solo-two-osipovavasiliev-london-coliseum
Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne: the ten Verdi productions of all time
Ahead of the live streaming of La Traviata on the Telegraph on Sunday, August 10, Rupert Christiansen choses his favourite productions from the Glyndebourne Verdi archive
read more
The truth about falsettos
As he heads to Glyndebourne for a battle of the countertenors, Anthony Roth Costanzo reveals the secrets of singing high
read more
New York
In Homage to Mozart, Musical Wit and Allusions Work by Schnittke and Haydn at Mostly Mozart
read more
Ballet Theater Donating Trove of Materials to Library of Congress
read more
Seattle
Saluting Speight Through Opera
read more
Sidney
Peter Sculthorpe’s death a ‘huge loss, but he leaves such a big musical legacy’
Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe has been lauded following his death on Friday morning
Mehr Info
Reviews vom 8.8.2014
Erl / Tirol
Die Walküre on bicycles: the 24-hour Ring in Erl
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-erl-walkure-kuhn-kampp-baykov-august-2014
Siegfried through the night: The Ring in Erl continues
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-erl-siegfried-kuhn-baba-august-2014
München
Jonas Kaufmann’s illness, a muddled production – nothing can stop Bavarian State Opera’s La forza del destino
read more
Rost, Norwegen
Querini Opera, Querini Hall, Røst, Norway – review
A true-life tale of shipwrecked Venetian mariners is at the heart of this unusual work
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/b3133258-1bf3-11e4-9db1-00144feabdc0.html#axzz39ixgoqDA
London
Prom 26: EUYO/Petrenko review – thrilling Shostakovich but blurry Berio
read more
Prom 27: BBCNOW/Wigglesworth review – Trusler’s tour de force Royal Albert Hall, London
The violinist brought an thrilling, organic ebb and flow to William Mathias’s Violin Concerto: he and BBCNOW are on tremendous form http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/07/prom-27-bbcnow-wigglesworth-william-mathias-review
New York
Let’s Talk About Risk at the Metropolitan Opera
read more
Feuilleton
Olivier Messiaen: beyond time and space
Composed while he was a prisoner of war, Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time seems to touch the far edges of human experience, writes pianist Steven Osborne
read more
Reviews vom 7.8.2014
München
Munich Opera Festival über alles
Whilst other European festivals may not have made this year’s grade, Rupert Christiansen explains why Munich’s is an experience worth repeating
read more
London Prom 23: BBCSSO/NYCoS/Runnicles review – clarity and momentum Royal Albert Hall, London
The NYCoS brought vibrancy to Mozart’s Requiem, and Donald Runnicles and the BBCSSO generated momentum and dancing colours in John McLeod and Beethoven
read more
Prom 24: BBCSSO, Runnicles/Solemn Vigil of Commemoration, Westminster Abbey
Vaughan Williams and Mahler engaged as World War One laments, but Purcell and Bach crown solemnities
read more
BBC Prom 25, Tallis Scholars, review: ‘manufactured spirituality’
This Prom of John Tavener works marking the centenary of World War One was hit and miss, says John Allison
read more
Cardiff
West Wales to Finland via London, how Welsh National Opera made its mark this summer
read more
New York
New York’s Metropolitan Opera lives to sing another day
New independent expert brought in to help General Manager Peter Gelb and the unions reach agreement
read more
Met Opera Foresees a Rise in Annual Deficit
read more
Alfresco, a Passionate Loner Beckons Paul Taylor Dance Company at Lincoln Center Out of Doors
read more
Languid, Meandering and Clearly Abetted by Satan Martin Frost at the Mostly Mozart Festival
read more
Cooperstown
Ariadne in Naxos, Glimmerglass Festival, Cooperstown, New York – review
Francesca Zambello’s high-spirited production sets Strauss’s opera in a New York barn
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/1a627fdc-1bda-11e4-9db1-00144feabdc0.html
Chicago
American Music Project to launch with world premiere in Chicago
read more
Reviews vom 6.8.2014
München/ Prinzregententheater
Schwäne im Drogenrausch
Tschaikowskys Schwanensee als Streetdance-Style: „Swan Lake Reloaded“
Mehr Info
Theaterland Deutschland
Harz wir
Der Ruf der Kulturnation Deutschland wird in der Provinz verteidigt. Zum Beispiel in Halberstadt
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/theaterland-deutschland-harz-wir/10294750.html
Wien/ Impulstanz
Tanzende Bakterien mit toten Kindern
Ivo Dimchev liefert bei Impulstanz ein unsägliches Stück http://derstandard.at/2000004030773/Tanzende-Bakterien-mit-toten-Kindern
London
War Horse Prom review
equine puppet hero distracts from the show’s weaknesses Royal Albert Hall, London John Tams’ melancholic folk songs are beautiful, but the music choice and stage show are confusing and problematic
read more
Glyndebourne
The show must go on: Glyndebourne star dislocates knee
– but still finishes opera Christiane Karg, 33, dislocated her knee after tripping on set on Sunday
read more
Cooperstown
An American Tragedy, Glimmerglass Festival, Cooperstown, New York – review
Tobias Picker’s opera is fleetingly effective but fails to stir overall
read more
Vail Colorado, Where Ballet Meets Tango and Jookin Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado
read more
Sacramento
Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera calling off fall season
read more
Santa Fe
Santa Fe’s Modern Makeovers Updating was the theme this season.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/opera-review-santa-fe-opera-1407191039
Seattle
Next Weekend to Salute Speight Jenkins with Wagner Competition, Seattle Opera Day and Special Dinner
read more
Reviews vom 5.8.2014
Salzburg
Salzburg Festival, Austria – review
Marc-André Dalbavie’s new opera “Charlotte Salomon’ is the pick of the festival
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/bf9babe8-1bb9-11e4-9db1-00144feabdc0.html
Erl
Das Rheingold in the mountains: a promising start to the Weekend Ring in Erl
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-erl-rheingold-kuhn-hawlata-august-2014
Orange
Chung and Alagna outstanding in Otello at Orange
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-otello-alagna-chung-les-choregies-orange-august-2014
London
Swan Lake, Royal Opera House, review: The Mariinsky ballet is back on home ground
read more
Swan Lake, Royal Opera House, London – review
More than a century of devoted performance lies behind the Mariinsky’s “Swan Lake’
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/6892dfd0-1bbc-11e4-9db1-00144feabdc0.html
BBC Proms Saturday Matinee 1: Armonia Atenea – Greek Myths, review:
‘bustling brilliance’ The superbly lithe playing of the first Greek orchestra to perform at the Proms was flecked with Aegean light, says John Allison
read more
BBC Prom 21, Kiss Me, Kate, review: ‘fabulous’
This fabulous production of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate was a joy from start to finish, says Ivan Hewett
read more
Prom 21 review: John Wilson Orchestra/Kiss Me, Kate
– uneasy Cole Porter semi-staging If only the great John Wilson Orchestra had been given full rein with Cole Porter’s music, instead of a tepid dramatisation
read more
New York
Viennese Classicism, Varied and Revealing Mostly Mozart Showcase Three Masters at Lincoln Center
read more
Santa Fe
Weitere Review zum „Fidelio“
Holocaust Grafted to Beethoven Santa Fe Opera Sets “Fidelio’ in a Concentration Camp
read more
Tokio
Japan’s Ozawa says recovered from illnesses, full of plans
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/04/uk-music-seijiozawa-idUKKBN0G40IE20140804
Sidney
Australian opera: big, loud, demanding and in need of a good review
As George Brandis announces a national opera review and international companies continue to struggle, what’s the future for the art form in Australia and its $32m in public funding?
read more
Reviews vom 4.8.2014
Bregenz
theartsdesk in Bregenz: A floating opera festival
Operatic fireworks (and dragons and acrobats) at the Bregenz Festival
http://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/theartsdesk-bregenz-floating-opera-festival
London
Opera reviews: Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur and Schoenberg’s Moses Und Aron http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/494517/Adriana-Lecouvreur-opera-review
Proms 16, 14, 15, 12; Moses und Aron review – the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic make waves Royal Albert Hall; Royal Opera House, London Turkey’s finest give an uplifiting Proms debut. And Welsh National Opera triumphs in biblical style
read more
New York
Metropolitan Opera Postpones Lockout by a Week
Eugene Keilin Will Conduct a Financial Analysis of the Company’s Books
read more
Goode brings deep artistry to Mozart Festival’s “Night Music”
read more
Chicago
Grant Park Orchestra goes deep with Mozart and Brahms
read more
Santa Fe Opera: A befuddling Mozart-Stravinsky double bill in Santa Fe
read more
Santa Fe Opera Nazifies “Fidelio’
read more
Reviews vom 3.8.2014
London
“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess’, Regents Park, London – review
Purists may bemoan the missing flesh but the pace is sprightly and appealing
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/81836622-1702-11e4-b0d7-00144feabdc0.html
Prom 16, 17 and 18, Royal Albert Hall – review
read more
Prom 19: BBC Singers, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Petrenko
Masterly festive Strauss and elegiac Elgar, predictably second-league Four Last Songs
read more
Vorschau
Mary Poppins in Last Night of the Proms
Last Night of the Proms is to feature a Mary Poppins singalong to mark the 50th anniversary of the film’s release
read more
Worcester
A Foreign Field review –
inaudible run through Torsten Rasch’s WW1 elegy Worcester Cathedral An ambitiously elegiac work, which came nowhere near fulfilling its ambitions
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/01/a-foreign-field-review
Palm Beach
Palm Beach Opera to Stage First World Premiere in 2015
read more
San Francisco / Vorschau
San Francisco Opera Celebrates 92nd Season Opening with Bellini’s NORMA
Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, 9/5
read more
Sidney
The soulless predator: McVicar’s modern take on Don Giovanni in Australia
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-don-giovanni-mcvicar-australia-july-2014
Feuilleton
Opinion: What does Opera have to say to the under-30s?
Glyndebourne’s Under-30s tickets aim to bring opera to a whole new generation, but what has an elderly art form got to say to them?
http://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/opinion-what-does-opera-have-say-under-30s
Jennifer Walshe: music that packs a punch
The Irish-born opera composer talks about scores, apps and boxing
read more
Reviews vom 2.8.2014
«art but fair» bleibt am Ball
Eine Selbstverpflichtung für die Künste
http://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/eine-selbstverpflichtung-fuer-die-kuenste-1.18353221
München L’Orfeo, Prinzregententheater, Munich – review
German baritone Christian Gerhaher was born to play the title role in Monteverdi’s opera http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/30414d06-189c-11e4-933e-00144feabdc0.html
Soile Isokoski stars in a strong, traditional Munich Rosenkavalier
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-rosenkavalier-isokoski-coote-munich-july-2014
Bayreuth
Scandal and outrage at Germany’s Bayreuth opera festival
Festival is becoming more notorious for its scandals than its music after second year of boos, jeers and insults
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/31/scandal-germany-bayreuth-opera-festival
Martina Franca
The Italian response to Lully: Apulian composer Tommaso Traetta’s Armida
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-armida-traetta-fasolis-mameli-july-2014
New York
In Final Hours, Metropolitan Opera Extends Contract Deadlines for Unions
read more
City in Summer? Must Be Mozart
read more
Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Euryanthe, Bard SummerScape, Richard B. Fisher Center, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York – review
The first US staging of Weber’s opera in a century should not be missed
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/6e550402-189c-11e4-933e-00144feabdc0.html
Sidney
Mayakovsky an intense operatic experience in Sydney
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-mayakovsky-sydney-july-2014
Feuilleton
Interview Jonas Kaufmann: Super Hero
http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/jonas-kaufman-super-hero
Musical rarities – the hidden sides of the great composers
From scatalogical Mozart to possibly the worst music Wagner ever wrote, Tom Service unearths five pieces that rarely appear on concert programmes – perhaps for good reasons.
read more
Reviews vom 1.8.2014
München
‘Dream pair’ of Harteros and Kaufmann shines in Munich revival of La forza del destino
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-munich-forza-kaufmann-harteros-tezier-july-2014
Rom
Agreement reached at Rome’s Opera House
Rome’s new culture councillor also faces problems at Teatro Valle and Teatro Eliseo
read more
Verona
Ein Dach für die Arena?
Floods at the Verona arena hit Italian opera-goers Mayor plans to launch worldwide competition to protect the nearly 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre
http://www.theguardian.com/weather/2014/jul/30/opera-italy-verona-arena-floods
London
Porgy and Bess, Regent’s Park, review:
‘a knockout’ Timothy Sheader’s electrifying production of the Gershwins’ masterpiece is acted with rare panache
read more
Prom 16: Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic/Goetzel – review
Royal Albert Hall, London This was a classy, enthusiastic ensemble and Sascha Goetzel the consummate showman at this Middle East-inspired evening
read more
BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London A first visit from a Turkish orchestra, and late-night Rameau
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/18722908-17ce-11e4-b842-00144feabdc0.html
Prom 17: Les Arts Florissants/Christie – familiar finesse, classy soloists Royal Albert Hall, London Rameau’s vivid, emotionally immediate Grand Motets brought a flavour of his importance as a composer of sacred music to the anniversary celebrations
read more
BBC Prom 18, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Mena, review: ‘dubious’ Juanjo Mena conducted the BBC Phil in a hit-and-miss programme of Mahler, Ravel and Harrison Birtwistle, says Ivan Hewett
read more
Push, Coliseum, London – review
Sylvie Guillem and Russell Maliphant’s crowd-pleaser returns for its final Coliseum run
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/a0c47aa6-17cc-11e4-a82d-00144feabdc0.html
Wormsley
Rossini: Maometto Secondo, Garsington Opera, review:
‘focused and energised’ Conducter David Parry’s live recording of Rossini is finely-executed and ground-breaking, says Rupert Christiansen
read more
New York
New York’s Metropolitan Opera labour dispute: a symptom of a company in crisis
The largest performing arts organization in the US is threatening to lock out its musicians on Friday, the latest setback for a company – and an art form – at a dangerous junction
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/30/-sp-new-york-met-opera-labour-lockout
Metropolitan Opera Considers Mediation in Contract Talks
read more
Mostly Mozart Festival, Avery Fisher Hall, New York – review
An all-Mozart programme was dominated by pianist Richard Goode
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/a4036876-17cc-11e4-a82d-00144feabdc0.html
Santa Fe
A Film-Noirish Carmen, Down Mexico Way Santa Fe Opera Stages “Carmen’
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/arts/music/santa-fe-opera-stages-carmen.html?_r=0