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Reviews Jänner 2014

06.01.2014 | REVIEWS

Reviews vom 31.1.2014

Brüssel
A Lavish and Folkloric Production of Janacek’s “Jenufa.’
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Madrid
Brokeback Mountain, Teatro Real, Madrid – review
Annie Proulx’s stark short story is the very stuff of opera
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A woman’s journey: Nathalie Stutzmann sings Schubert in Madrid
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London
Peter Grimes, English National Opera, review
An enthralling performance of Britten’s Peter Grimes is beautifully sung but evades the tragic conflict
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Peter Grimes – review
Coliseum, London
David Alden’s 2009 production of Britten’s opera remains an overwhelming experience, held together by Gardner’s lyrical and searingly intense conducting
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Peter Grimes/ENO, Coliseum – opera review

David Alden and Edward Gardner offered a thrilling blast of Britten
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Peter Grimes: English National Opera, 29th January 2014
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ENO unleash a North Sea storm with Peter Grimes
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Michael Coveney: Is Peter Grimes at the ENO better than Charlie or The Book of Mormon?
Michael Coveney discusses the blurred lines between musical theatre and opera, and the ENO’s current production of Peter Grimes
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New York
A Soviet Composer’s Circle of Friends
A Homage to Alfred Schnittke at Juilliard
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A Whirl of Memories and Ardent Invention, From Nureyev to Now
Mehr Info

Anchorage
Review: Singing a weakness in Rossini farce by Anchorage Opera
http://www.adn.com/2014/01/29/3295650/singing-a-weakness-in-rossini.html

 

Reviews vom 30.1.2014

Berlin
Katja Kabanowa, Staatsoper Berlin, Schiller Theater – review
Eva-Maria Westbroek gives a peerless performance in the title role of Janáček’s opera
MehrInfo

Amsterdam
Karina Gauvin’s secret garden of song at the Concertgebouw
http://bachtrack.com/review-jan-2014-concertgebouw-gauvin

Madrid
Lyrical Cowboys in Love, on Stage
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Paris
Tauberbach, Théâtre National de Chaillot, Paris – review
Alain Platel’s latest work is strange and intense; the dancers are nothing short of extraordinary
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Lyon
Lyon Festival Pulls Down Musical Barriers
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London
Mariusz Kwiecien: the dashing opera hunk returns to Covent Garden
Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien, one of a new breed of ‘barihunks’, is set to get hearts fluttering as the reckless seducer Don Giovanni
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Felicity Palmer: ‘There is a lot of rubbish in opera’
Rupert Christiansen talks to the deliciously outspoken mezzo-soprano Felicity Palmer as she returns to the ENO in Peter Grimes
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Ballet’s transfer wars
The battle for the finest dancers taking place between English National Ballet and the Royal Ballet is in danger of becoming an unedifying spectacle, says Rupert Christiansen
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New York
Met Opera Reports Falling Attendance
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Dances at a Gathering, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center, New York – review
Jerome Robbins’ Chopin-inspired ballet showcases the company’s up and coming stars
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Long Beach
Opera review: ‘Queenie Pie’ picks up where
Duke Ellington left off Long Beach Opera makes the most ambitious effort yet on a Duke Ellington opera-in-the-making, and it has an electrifying cast to work with.
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Houston
Continuing the Trend
Giuseppe Verdi: Rigoletto
http://concertonet.com/scripts/review.php?ID_review=9610

 

 

Reviews vom 29.1.2014

Mailand
Daniel Barenboim leads La Scala’s last tribute to Claudio Abbado
Performance of Beethoven funeral march to empty theatre in Milan is broadcast on Italian TV a week after death of conductor
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Madrid
Operas Filled With Forbidden Love in Madrid
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London
Luca Pisaroni – review
Wigmore Hall, London
Pisaroni displayed an interesting taste for the more esoteric parts of the German song repertoire
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Sir John Tavener Celebration Weekend, St John’s Smith Square, review
A programme of classics, revivals and premieres at St John’s Smith Square made for an impressive celebration of Sir John Tavener’s music, says Ivan Hewett
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National Dance awards honour Natalia Osipova and Rambert’s Dane Hurst
Winners’ list includes Russell Maliphant, Christopher Wheeldon and Mikhailovsky Ballet. What do you make of the choices?
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Glasgow
Don Pasquale, Theatre Royal, Glasgow – review
Despite cartoonish elements, Scottish Opera’s 1960s-set Donizetti production suffers from a lack of daring
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Chicago
New ‘Don Giovanni,’ ‘Tosca’ highlight Lyric Opera’s 2014-15 season
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Minneapolis
A gripping, corpse-strewn ‘Macbeth’ at Minnesota Opera
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/242233781.html

Seattle
Seattle Opera’s 2014-15 season: new director, “Tosca’ and more
http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2022770304_seattleopera2014151xml.html

San Francisco
Giselle returns in fine form to the San Francisco Ballet
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Reviews vom 28.1.2014

Wien
L’elisir d’amore at the Vienna Staatsoper
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London
British orchestras are in danger of losing top billing despite rising ticket sales
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Interview with Stuart Skelton –
Peter Grimes returns to English National Opera on 29 January 2014
http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_features.php?id=11715

York
Don Giovanni
The only downside to this production of Don Giovanni was that it was for one night only.
http://www.nouse.co.uk/2014/01/26/review-don-giovanni/

New York
Noch einmal “Rusalka”
Rusalka, Metropolitan Opera, New York – review
A production that respects Dvořák’s fairytale now seems tired
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A Giant Photo Connects Fans to Ballet Stars
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Philadelphia
Opera review: Pittsburgh Opera’s approach gives ‘Dark Sisters’ added punch
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Review: New opera tells emotionally intense story of ‘Dark Sisters’
http://triblive.com/aande/music/5452637-74/opera-sisters-family#axzz2rb6zbA1K

San Diego
BWW Reviews: San Diego Opera’s PAGLIACCI Stands On Its Own
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Los Angeles
Grammys Laud Giants and Upstarts
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Grammy Winners

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/27/arts/music/grammy-winners.html?ref=music

Montreal
Porgy and Bess at the Opéra de Montréal

 

Reviews vom 27.1.2014

Florenz
Nabucco: Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, 21st January 2014
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Mailand
Claudio Abbado Commemoration at La Scala to Be Live Streamed
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London
A five star review for breathtaking Giselle at the Royal Opera House
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Hansel and Gretel, Royal Ballet
Deeply disturbing dance drama is a powerful piece of theatre
http://www.theartsdesk.com/dance/hansel-and-gretel-royal-ballet

LPO/Jurowski/Kavakos – review Royal Festival Hall, London
Leonidas Kavakos took time to find his singing tone in stylised Bach, but shone in Hartmann’s Concerto Funèbre
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Glasgow
Don Pasquale – review Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Set in 1960s Rome, this Don Pasquale delivers plenty of brash and busy frills, but its cartoonish characters need more nuance
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/26/don-pasquale-review

Philadelphia Artistry and greatness glimmer in Pique Dame at AVA
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Palm Beach
Hungarian soprano kills in Palm Beach Opera’s dramatic “Macbeth”
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Houston
A Houston Grand Opera high note: Rigoletto brings sublime moments and a new sensation
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Feuilleton
Christa Ludwig, Superstar
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/christa-ludwig-superstar/

Danielle de Niese: New generation of opera stars to combat ‘fat lady sings’ parody
Danielle de Niese, the opera singer, argues outdated stereotypes about the genre must go, and signals the end of ‘the fat lady sings’
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New York / Wien
Musical “Rebecca” bekommt zweite Chance
Nach zweijährigem Investorenkrimi konnten die Produzenten Geld lukrieren.
Mehr Info


Reviews vom 26.1.2014

Budapest
World premiere of Spiritisti in Budapest
An operatic dream world blurring present and past
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London
L’Issipile – review Wigmore Hall, London
La Nuova Musica deliver a knock-out performance of Francesco Conti’s Greek tragedy – its first in modern times
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L’Issipile, La nuova musica, classical review Wigmore Hall, London
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New York
Weitere Reviews zur “Rusalka” Met Opera:
Renee Fleming Melts Hearts Anew in ‘Rusalka’
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Fleming returns to “Rusalka” with touching portrayal and vocal unease
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A Firebird, a Mermaid and a Bit of Mozart
Andrey Boreyko Conducts the New York Philharmonic
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Chicago
Even with rough edges, Nielsen’s “Maskarade” is a delight in belated Chicago premiere
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Los Angeles
Von Otter and Ax combine for sublime Brahms in Los Angeles
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Sidney
Summer symphony for Simone Young
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Bücher
Musorgsky and his Circle by Stephen Walsh, review
Igor Toronyi-Lalic on the amateurish geniuses who started a musical revolution in Russia
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Feuilleton
Anna Netrebko Decorates
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Interview with Gerald Finley: his career and upcoming feature, ‘Winterreise’
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Reviews vom 25.1.2014

Dresden
A Soprano Glows in “Elektra’
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/24/arts/music/24iht-A-Soprano-Glows-in-Elektra.html?ref=music

Amsterdam
Jaroussky and Lezhneva sing a beautifully moving Stabat Mater in Amsterdam
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Madrid
Vorschau ‘Brokeback Mountain’ opera saddles up in Madrid
The ‘Brokeback Mountain’ opera from composer Charles Wuorinen features a libretto by the original short story’s writer, Annie Proulx. Daniel Okulitch plays Ennis; Tom Randle is Jack.
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London
Ticket touting should be illegal, head of Royal Opera House argues
Being complicit in ticket touting should be illegal, Alex Beard says, as he argues it is “desperately unfair” on would-be audience members
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Daniel Barenboim returns: Southbank Centre launches 2014-15 classical season
With 20 new commissions, a percussion festival and performers including Barenboim, Gustavo Dudamel, Simon Rattle and Maria João Pires, the commitment to contemporary music is core
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Women are held back in classical music
says Southbank Centre director Jude Kelly, artistic director of leading music venue, says male orchestra directors must encourage female musicians
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Manchester
Hallé and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras/Juanjo Mena, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, review
Juanjo Mena carefully reined in the extravagance of Richard Strauss’s Alpine Symphony, says David Fanning read more

New York
A “Rusalka’ Shows Two Sides at the Metropolitan Opera
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“Jewels’ Returns to New York City Ballet’s Repertory
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Houston
Houston Grand Opera schedules 2014-’15 season
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Toronto
Adrianne Pieczonka’s opera career honoured
Toronto soprano will receive an Ontario Arts Foundation award while her career is at its peak.
Mehr Info

 

Reviews vom 24.1.2012

Suresnes
Suresnes Cités Danse, Théâtre Jean Vilar, Suresnes, France – review
This year’s edition of the urban dance festival has a good balance of education and creation
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London
English National Opera’s Edward Gardner to leave
Highly regarded conductor to take up new role at Bergen Philharmonic from 2015, and be replaced by Mark Wigglesworth
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/23/eno-edward-gardner-leave

Opera education for 10,000 children
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Moscow City Symphony-Russian Philharmonic/Dmitri Jurowski – review
Royal Festival Hall, London
The Muscovite maestro’s deft handling of Rachmaninov was the centrepiece of an unapologetically Russian programme
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Leeds
La Fanciulla del West, Opera North/Grand Theatre Leeds, review
This production of Puccini’s Gold Rush opera is simple, modest and focused, says Rupert Christiansen
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The Girl of the Golden West, Grand Theatre, Leeds – review
Opera North’s staging of Puccini’s work has an authentic flavour of the Wild West
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La Fanciulla del West – review
Grand theatre, Leeds
A rare outing for Puccini’s proto-spaghetti western is spartanly staged, but the performers excel
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/22/la-fanciulla-del-west-review

New York
What Handel Heard on the Way to the Forum “Agrippina’ by Operamission Sees Rome in a Satiric Light
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In the Founder’s Footsteps
Balanchine Evening Ignites City Ballet Winter Season
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Philharmonic Lines Up “Joan’ and a Dvorak Festival
The New York Philharmonic’s 2014-15 season,
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Sidney
Opera review: The Turk in Italy (Opera Australia)
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Reviews vom 23.1.2014

Bologna
Abbados Leichnam wird eingeäschert
Mehr Info

Dresden
Mit Glanz und Gloria – die beste Elektra
http://www.merkur-online.de/aktuelles/kultur/glanz-gloria-3323570.html

Wien
Bryn Terfel dominates in this Tosca
Vienna State Opera, 19 January 2014
http://theoperacritic.com/tocreviews2.php?review=mp%2F2014%2Fvsotosca0114.htm

Helsinki
Bella Figura, Ooppera, Helsinki – review
In a challenging triple bill, Finnish National Ballet responded best to Jiří Kylián’s choreography
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New York
Two Troupes Evoke Endlessness in Words and Movement Exploring Time in the American Realness Festival
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Seattle
Rigoletto, Seattle Opera, Seattle – review
Linda Brovsky’s decision to set Verdi’s opera in fascist-era Italy undermines dramatic sympathy
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Dallas
Dallas Opera announces expanded 2014-15 season
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Toronto
Handel’s Alcina to open Opera Atelier 2014-15 season
Star soprano Meghan Lindsay gets naked for promotional photo shoot
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Sidney
Outstanding performances by Sydney Chamber Opera at Sydney Festival
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Feuilleton
Renée Fleming: the Super Bowl’s unlikely opera singing superstar
Unlike pop divas preceding her, the soprano who will sing the national anthem is a varied and down-to-earth performer
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Vadim Repin, violinist – portrait of the artist

Violinist Vadim Repin talks about giving his first concert aged nine, how special things happen on stage – and why he’s promiscuous with his artistic affections
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New Music – Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson
Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson is a soprano with a stratospheric career ahead of her, says Rupert Christiansen
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Reviews vom 22.1.2014

Zum Tod von Claudo Abbado
Simon Rattle on Claudio Abbado: ‘He said “I feel I hear from the inside of my body’
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/20/simon-rattle-claudio-abbado-tribute

‘He was one of the greatest of our time’: Mariss Jansons pays tribute to Claudio Abbado
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/20/mariss-jansons-claudio-abbado-tribute

Seiji on Claudio, a fellow-sufferer
http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2014/01/seiji-on-claudio-my-fellow-sufferer.html

All the best: Claudio Abbado
A round-up of the finest recordings of music conducted by the 80-year-old maestro
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Wien
Domingo makes Verdi’s I due Foscari a must-see at Theater an der Wien
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Madrid
Tristan und Isolde through the lens of Bill Viola in Madrid
http://bachtrack.com/review-jan-2014-madrid-tristan

Vorschau
Brokeback Mountain: the opera to open in Madrid
Premiere of tragic story of two cowboys who become doomed lovers adapted by composer Charles Wuorinen
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London
Giselle, Royal Opera House, London – review
Natalya Osipova’s intense interpretation stood out in an otherwise demure production
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Manon at the Royal Opera House: a voluptuous romp translated to the Belle Epoque
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Angelika Kirchschlager/Jean-Yves Thibaudet – review – Wigmore Hall, London
The Austrian mezzo struggled to hit the highest notes in an energetic rendition of Brahms but found expressive purpose with Liszt
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Haffner Wind Ensemble, Kings Place, London – review
The year-long Chamber Classics Unwrapped series got off to an adventurous start
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Manchester
Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Bell – review
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Joshua Bell’s phenomenal technique and tone justify his superstar status but he also shows an uncommon degree of self-effacement
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Glasgow
Opera review: La Clemenza di Tito, Glasgow
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New York
For Revered Concertmaster, the Start of a Long Goodbye Farewells Begin for New York Philharmonic’s Glenn Dicterow
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Houston
BWW Reviews: Houston Grand Opera’s US Premiere of THE PASSENGER is Brilliant
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Toronto
Cosi fan tutte: Atom Egoyan adds his own signature to the canvas
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Montreal
Vivaldi’s Juditha triumphs in its Montreal première with Ensemble Caprice
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Feuilleton
The 10 strangest musical instruments
The cat piano, the ice trumpet, the road that plays Rossini … Trevor Cox picks the world’s weirdest tools for making music
Mehr Info

Reviews vom 21.1.2014

Oslo
Alcina, Norwegian National Opera, Oslo – Review
Compelling playing and singing compensate for the production’s shortfalls
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London
BBCSO/Semyon Bychkov, Barbican, London – Review
The Leningrad-born conductor revealed the awful majesty of Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony
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New York
Tunefully Purveyed Snake Oil, Anyone?
Anna Netrebko in Bel Canto Mode, for “L’Elisir d’Amore’
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Netrebko’s back and in top form in Met’s “Elixir
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Washington
Opera Lafayette effort to confect Mozart “Cosi’ sequel pales in comparison
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Houston
Opera review: A “Passenger’ that too often plods
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Salt Lake City
Review: Excellent performances, great chemistry make Utah Opera production a “Traviata’ to remember
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Claudio Abbado
Claudio Abbado, Influential Italian Conductor, Dies at 80
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Claudio Abbado – obituary
Claudio Abbado was a shy but steely conductor who crafted some of the great performances of the last century
read more
Claudio Abbado: Listen to his legacy
Abbado’s concerts with his Lucerne Festival Orchestra weren’t mere performances of pieces of music, they were searing, transformative existential journeys. His death is a huge loss
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The Times – London
Claudio Abbado, acclaimed Italian conductor, dies at 80
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/music/classical/article3980493.ece

La Repubblica
È morto Claudio Abbado, il rivoluzionario del podio
Mehr Info
Corriere della sera
Addio al grande maestro Claudio Abbado
Il direttore d’orchestra è morto a 80 anni
Mehr Info

 

Reviews vom 20.1.2014

London
Giselle, Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, review
Natalia Osipova’s Giselle is technically and artistically supreme, combining ethereal elevation with reckless ectasy
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Glasgow
BBCSSO/Runnicles – review
City Halls, Glasgow
Glaring at the orchestra, tugging phrases around, German pianist Lars Vogt was in no mood for compromise tackling Grieg’s A-minor concerto
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/19/bbcsso-runnicles-review

Tel Aviv
Verdi at the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv: “A Masked Ball’ unmasked
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Norfolk
Virginia Symphony and Virginia Opera announce their 2014-2015 seasons
read more

Los Angeles
New ‘Giselle’ production a pas de deux between friends
Dancers Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg channeled their detailed knowledge of ‘Giselle’ into a fresh production of the classic for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, making its U.S. premiere in L.A.
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Feuilleton
Great Music for the Great War
Concerts in the U.S. and Europe for a Grim Centennial
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Baden /Stadttheater
Eine Liebeserklärung an die Träumer dieser Welt
Dale Wassermans “Der Mann von La Mancha” in Baden.
Mehr Info

 

Reviews vom 19.1.2014

Nancy
Orfeo, Opéra national de Lorraine, Nancy – review
Claus Guth’s production turns Monteverdi’s opera into an autopsy of bereavement
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London Nachtrag zur “Manon”
Manon, Royal Opera House, London – review
Emmanuel Villaume’s conducting stands out in an oddly emotionless revival of Laurent Pelly’s 2010 staging 
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Resolution, The Place, review
Sarah Crompton finds some real promise in The Place’s 2014 showcase for emerging choreographic talent
read more

Nachträge zur “Winterreise”
Gerald Finley/Julius Drake – review Wigmore Hall, London
The duo took a theatrical approach to Die Winterreise, delivering a harrowing account of Schubert’s dark
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Forever walked alone: Gerald Finley and Julius Drake’s Winterreise at Wigmore Hall
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LPO/Jurowski – review Royal Festival Hall, London
The premiere of James MacMillan’s Viola Concerto for Lawrence Power was a fine showcase for extraordinarily eloquent playing
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New York
Madama Butterfly,’ With Amanda Echalaz in the Title Role
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Met’s General Manager to Take Over Labor Talks
Mehr Info

Chicago
Lyric Opera will launch new Wagner cycle in 2016
Company also will present Midwest premiere of Holocaust opera in 2015
read more

 

Reviews vom 18.1.2014

Barcelona
Transfer rumours in Spain: Barenboim to Barcelona?
read more

London
Royal Opera House unveils rare collection of photos featuring Victorian dancers and singing stars of the early 20th century
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Jephtha – review Barbican, London
Handel’s dark masterpiece was delivered with taut conducting, blazing conviction in the choruses and wonderful solo singing
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Winterreise, Finley, Drake, Wigmore Hall
Clear-eyed account of Schubert’s study in mental disintegration
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BBCSO/Bychkov – review Barbican, London
The BBCSO delivered one the greatest performances of Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony in recent years
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Preludes and poetry: Boris Berezovsky at Royal Festival Hall
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HMV closes flagship Oxford Street store End of an era for HMV’s largest music store
 read more

Cardiff
Welsh National Opera launches its Fallen Women season with an orchestral concert
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New York
Anna Netrebko Graces Le Poisson Rouge With Song Repertory
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Marilyn Horne at 80, Celebrated by Her Star Admirers
The American Mezzo-Soprano Is Honored at Carnegie Hall
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Sidney Live review: Dido and Aeneas (Sydney Festival)
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Sasha Waltz ‘pulverises’ Dido & Aeneas
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Dido & Aeneas, Sasha Waltz & Guests – review
Sydney festival: Sydney Lyric, the Star
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Ton- und Bildträger
WAGNER: Götterdammerung (Complete Opera) – Lance Ryan (Siegfried)/ Petra Lang (Brünnhilde)/ Matti Salminen (Hagen)/ Berlin Radio Sym. Choir and Orch./ Marek Janowski– Pentatone Classics I was anticipating greatness. I got very good, but in the end it’s not even close to a near miss.
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Feuilleton
Interview Christoph Waltz: After Tarantino, It’s Time for the Opera Having won Oscars for both ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and ‘Django Unchained,’ the Viennese actor is tackling
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Richard Strauss: profound genius or gifted entertainer?
Ahead of Strauss’ Voice, a season of concerts to mark his 150th-anniversary year, we ask musicians to weigh up the work of the controversial composer
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Abbado’s Orchestra Mozart: is it all over?
After only 10 seasons of concerts, the Orchestra Mozart is shutting down operations. I hope not for good…
Mehr Info

London
Manon, Royal Opera House, review
A spark is missing from this bleak production of Massenet’s opera
read more
Manon, opera review: ‘There are many things to like about this production’
read more
Manon – review
Royal Opera House, London
Matthew Polenzani shows sensitivity as Des Grieux, while Ermonela Jaho doesn’t shine quite brightly enough in the title role of Massenet’s opera
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/15/manon-review

Royal Opera’s Manon: A Seductive Performance
http://londonist.com/2014/01/royal-operas-manon-a-seductive-performance.php

Manon, Royal Opera, 14th January 2014
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Massenet’s Manon returns to Covent Garden
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The Creation, Barbican, London – review
Richard Egarr conducted a period-instrument performance of Haydn’s work
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Renaud Capuçon/Katia Buniatishvili – review
Wigmore Hall, London
A supportive partnership made for beautiful renderings of Brahms’s A Major Sonata Op 100 and Bartók’s Sonata No 2
read more

New York
Virtuoso Poignancy Unfettered by Concepts Zeffirelli’s “La Bohème’ Staging Still Elicits Sighs and Awe
read more

Los Angeles
Review: With ‘Turn of the Screw,’ Pacific Opera Project gets serious
A young company assembles a strong cast of emerging singers for the production of the Benjamin Britten work, its most ambitious offering, at an arts district venue
read more

LA Opera Announces 2014/2015 Season
LA TRAVIATA, GHOSTS OF VERSAILLES & More!
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Reviews vom 17.1.2014

Santa Fe
SF Opera to stage work with the Met
read more

Toronto
Canadian Opera Company Announces 2014/2015 Season
Including FALSTAFF and More
read more

Feuilleton
Zum 80. Geburtstag
Marilyn Horne: The Lioness in Winter
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/marilyn-horne-lioness-winter/

Reviews vom 16.1.2014

Wien
Sweeney Todd at the Vienna Volksoper a bloody success
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Prag
Prague State Opera’s uninspired Tannhäuser
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Paris
Lakmé, Opéra Comique, Paris – review
Budding star Sabine Devieilhe in the title role is the main reason to catch this production
read more

London
Why opera directors must stop patronising people
Rupert Christiansen hopes that financial constraints might herald the end of directors who want to shock rather than entertain
read more

Pavel Kolesnikov, at Wigmore Hall, review
Russian pianist, Pavel Kolesnikov, treated his Wigmore Hall audience to a spellbinding recital of Rameau, Debussy and Chopin, says John Allison
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Maxim Vengerov, Barbican, London – review

This was a generous introduction to the violinist’s “Artist Spotlight’ series at the Barbican
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LSO/Egarr – review
Barbican, London
Its optimism makes Haydn’s Creation oratorio the ideal early January concert piece
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New York
Girl You Know It’s True!
An Opera Inspired by Milli Vanilli Is Set for Brooklyn Run
read more

The Echoes of War, From One Century to the Next
“Shostakovich for the Children of Syria,’ a Benefit Concert
read more

Los Angeles
Vorschau
Los Angeles Opera to Present “Figaro Trilogy’
read more

 

Reviews vom 15.1.2014

Dirigent Yu Long: Klassik-Publikum in China hat mehr Energie
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Antwerpern
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui/ Wang Yabin: ????genesis, deSingel, Antwerp – review
The Belgian choreographer’s new work is a collaboration with Chinese dancer Wang Yabin
read more

London
Arts head: Mark Tinkler, English Pocket Opera Company
The artistic director on opera as a learning tool and why schools, not hubs, need to be the main deliverer of music education
read more

New York
Soloist and Conductor in One Pair of Shoes
Pinchas Zukerman Leads the Royal Philharmonic
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Cleveland
Cleveland Orchestra triumph in a weekend of Brahms
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San Francisco
Saisonvorschau
S.F. Opera expands season, including 5.5-hour epic “…
and includes Berlioz’s massive “Les Troyens” alongside new productions of Bellini’s “Norma” and Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah.”
read more

Seattle
Seattle Opera’s “Rigoletto’ a triumph of singing, acting, playing
A review of Seattle Opera’s excellent remounting of Linda Brovsky’s staging of “Rigoletto,” running at McCaw Hall through Jan. 25, 2014.
http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2022661074_rigolettooperareviewxml.html

Tokio
Japan Ballet Association’s Anna Karenina
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Feuilleton
Was It Worth Observing the Wagner/Verdi/Britten Anniversaries?
read more

Joseph Calleja erläutert in seinem Blog, was er vor einer Vorstellung alles NICHT macht
How to deal with pressure of performing
“No talking, socializing, drinking or even eating badly the days before a performance. (…) Even a night of passion the night before is a no go, especially for tenors, although the latter is controversial with some artsits claiming that sex actually helps their performance.”
http://josephcalleja.com/2014/01/14/how-to-deal-with-pressure-of-performing/

 

Reviews vom 14.1.2014

London
Le Corsaire, Coliseum, London – review
This jolly, sped-up version of the ballet is a roaring, madcap success
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English National Ballet’s jolly Le Corsaire sails into London
read more

Rosa Feola, Wigmore Hall, London – review

The Italian lyric soprano showed off her natural timbre and flawless technique
read more

Valencia
Spanish Opera House to Lose Crumbling Facade by Star Architect
read more

New York
Playing Composer, of Course, to Impress
Bronx Opera Company’s “The Rivals’ at the Kaye Playhouse
read more

Chicago
New cast members, same ‘Butterfly’ at Lyric Opera
read more

Tokio
Japan Ballet Association’s Anna Karenina
 read more

Sidney
Live review: Opera Australia’s The Magic Flute (Sydney)
read more

A shorter Flute still casts magic over children and adults alike
read more

The Magic Flute – review
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
read more

This Magic Flute is all about delight
Opera Australia, 10 January 2014
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Melbourne
The Australian Ballet appoints ex-Sydney Opera house marketer
read more

 

Reviews vom 13.1.2014

London
Master of the Queen’s Music – who next for a royal appointment?
As Peter Maxwell Davies prepares to step down as Master of the Queen’s Music, John Allison weighs up the various contenders to replace him
read more

Magdalena Kozena: 11th January 2014
read more

Maxim Vengerov – review
Barbican, London
The Russian-born violinist’s entire programme breathed distinction, from the rich main course to the delightful sweetmeats
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/12/maxim-vengerov-review

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain; James Ehnes – review
Barbican; Wigmore Hall, London The NYO were just the thing to beat the New Year blues. And James Ehnes wowed Wigmore Hall in a borrowed suit
read more

Konzertvorschau
A cry of the heart against death: Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony
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New York
All That Craft, and Now Some Abandon
Michele Wiles’s Ballet Next at New York Live Arts
read more

Chicago
Racette’s riveting portrayal lifts
Lyric Opera’s second-cast “Butterfly”
read more

Ton- und Bildträger
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Vol 2
Second instalment of Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s survey covering Beethoven’s development of sonata form
read more

Feuilleton
Ears for Opera, Eyes on the Future
Beth Morrison, Opera Producer With Prototype Festival
read more

 

Reviews vom 12.1.2014

London
Royal Opera House cleaners to strike during BAFTAs “The workers, who are employed by an agency – Management Incentive
Through Investment Equity – that is contracted by the ROH, want their pay increased to the London living wage of £8.80 an hour.”
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/01/roh-cleaners-strike-baftas/

Alistair Spalding: ‘You have to stage the things that take your breath away’
The artistic director and chief executive of Sadler’s Wells tells Sarah Crompton about the dance house’s transformation and his ambitions for the future
read more

Rosa Feola: Rosenblatt Recital, 9th January 2014
 read more

Birmingham
CBSO/Nelsons – review
Symphony Hall, Birmingham Stravinsky’s Petrushka was a demonstration of just what an exceptional conductor Andris Nelsons can be
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/10/cbso-nelsons-review

New York
Even Cheap Wine Can Work a Little Magic Bartlett Sher’s “L’Elisir d’Amore’ Is Revived at the Met
read more

Soprano sub Chuchman scores sensational Met debut in “L’Elisir
 read more

A Mix That, Unabashedly, Doesn’t Really Mesh at All New York Philharmonic, With Lisa Batiashvili
read more

Washington
D.C.’s early-music company Opera Lafayette repeats the history that’s been forgotten
read more

Santiago de Chile
Plácido Domingo confirms benefit gig for iconic Santiago theater
Ravaged by fire late last year, Teatro Municipal looks to raise funds for a multi-million dollar restoration project with the aid of Spanish tenor.
http://santiagotimes.cl/placido-domingo-confirms-benefit-gig-iconic-santiago-theater/

Feuilleton
Cellist Steven Isserlis on his pianist grandfather and his compositions
read more

 

Reviews vom 11.1.2014

München
La forza della Bavaria
http://likelyimpossibilities.blogspot.co.at/2014/01/la-forza-della-bavaria.html

Paris
Tchaikovsky masterpieces with Kissin, Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia in Paris
 read more

London
What’s On Stage In London: February 2014
http://londonist.com/2014/01/whats-on-stage-in-london-february-2014.php

BBCSO/Oramo – review Barbican, London
Colin Matthews’ commission for the BBCSO seems like a memorial to what might have been but perhaps never was
 read more

Manchester
Hallé/Znaider – review Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
The three month celebration of Richard Strauss kicked off with a composed, precise yet slightly glacial performance
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/10/halle-znaider-review

New York
Vorschau
Jonas Kaufman to Make Carnegie Hall Recital Debut, 2/20
read more

Seattle
Interview
Behind the curtain: Seattle Opera principal and University Place resident Barry Johnson
read more

Hamilton,
Kanada Opera Hamilton ceases operations, cancels season’s performances
read more

Ton- und Bildträger Haendel:
Belshazzar, review
This new recording grippingly responds to Haendel’s theatrical genius, says Geoffrey Norris
read more

New York
Geschichte von Popduo Milli Vanilli wird zur Oper
Die Premiere findet bereits am 24. Jänner im Big Apple statt.
Mehr Info

 

Reviews vom 10.1.2014

Frankfurt
My eyes! My eyes!
“Oedipe in Frankfurt”
read more

Prag
Martinu’s dazzling, overlooked Mirandolina in Prague
http://bachtrack.com/review-jan-2014-prague-mirandolina?destination=%2Ffind-reviews

Italien
Lend us a tenor: Italian opera houses in need of funding
“Many of the major opera houses would be officially bankrupt if they were normal businesses”
read more

London
Jewels, Royal Opera House, London – Review
Not all the performances gleamed, but Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae were glorious in “Rubies’
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/4a4a4ab2-7857-11e3-831c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2puCkz55F

Matthias Goerne and Leif Ove Andsnes, Wigmore Hall, London – Review
Alternating songs by Mahler and Shostakovich, this thoughtful recital took death as its theme
read more

Alexei Volodin, classical review

Wigmore Hall, London
read more

New York
A Sampler Broad Enough for Voguing and Mary, Queen of Scots
Doug Elkins and Vicky Shick in Focus Dance at the Joyce
read more

Washington
WNO announces third commission for hour-long opera
read more

Ton- und Bildträger
Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin
Simon Keenleyside, Krassimira Stoyanova, Royal Opera House, Robin Ticciati
read more

Rameau: Les Surprises de l’Amour – Review
Pochon/Deshayes/Brahim-Djelloul/Bou/Les Nouveaux Caractères/d’Hérin
(Glossa)
read more

Feuilleton
Overrated Strauss vs underrated Gluck
Why are there so many productions of Richard Strauss’s gargantuan operas, and so few of Gluck’s works of genius?
read more

Beethoven and Mozart ‘can boost pupils’ concentration’
Research from the Institute of Education finds that seven-year-olds exposed to classical music at primary school develop better concentration levels and social skills
Mehr Info

Reviews vom 9.1.2014

London
Park Lane Group, Southbank Centre, Review
The Park Lane Group’s annual New Year series, which gives promising young classical artists a welcome platform, gets off to a tentative but intriguing start, says Ivan Hewett
read more

New York
The Flu Hits, and Anna Netrebko Withdraws
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/the-flu-hits-and-anna-netrebko-withdraws/

Samuel McCoy to Be Chelsea Opera’s Music Director
read more

Sneaky Judges Find Their Pianist
Rafal Blechacz Is Chosen for Gilmore Artist Award
read more

Ton- und Bildträger
All the best: Sibelius symphonies
Interpretations of the Finnish composer’s work have become more varied in recent years
read more

Feuilleton
Julian Lloyd Webber, cellist – portrait of the Artist
The cellist talks about the Kandinsky that got away, why he doesn’t think about his famous brother, and why the future of English music should be Venezuelan
read more

 Reviews vom 7.1.2013

Cambridge
The Nutcracker, Moscow City Ballet, Cambridge Corn Exchange
A decent touring production fails to set the Fens on fire
http://www.theartsdesk.com/dance/nutcracker-moscow-city-ballet-cambridge-corn-exchange

Leeds
National Youth Orchestra/Daniel – review
Town Hall, Leeds The NYO displayed its collective prowess and showcased individual brilliance in an assured performance
read more

New York
La descente d’Orphée aux enfers, Gotham Chamber Opera, New York – review
This production of Charpentier’s opera was a triumph of art over logistical handicaps
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/69c49436-7462-11e3-9125-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2pd3mLxYx

 Reviews vom 6.1.2014

New York
Critic’s Notebook
Opera’s Sad Goodbye? How About, “Good Riddance’?
read more

London
Ready and go for Opera’s 2014 line-up
Now that the Royal Opera House in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York regularly bring opera to cinema worldwide, no one has any excuse to berate it as elitist.
read more

Dallas Opera
Without Borders
In his latest Off the Cuff, The Dallas Opera’s Keith Cerny weighs the implications of an important experiment with the upcoming Death and the Powers.
 read more

Feuilleton
Becoming Pavarotti
Richard Bonynge and Mirella Freni on the making of the 20th century’s biggest tenor. http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Article/368390,becoming-pavarotti.aspx

Christoph Willibald Gluck: the composer who deserves better
Rupert Christiansen asks why Gluck’s tercentenary will pass by largely unheralded in 2014
Mehr Info

New York
Mega-Musical “Spider-Man” am Ende
Es war das kostspieligste und wohl auch pannenreichste Musical der Broadway-Geschichte: Jetzt ist “Spider-Man” am Ende.
 Mehr Info

 Reviews vom 5.1.2014

Paris
Paris Embraces “Einstein’ Again
 Mehr Info

Salerno
Bare essentials and true fascination for the Bohemians in Salerno
 read more

London The Nutcracker, Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, review
Sarah Crompton is thrilled by Natalia Osipova’s technical bravura, but thinks the gifted Russian is still finding her way at the Royal Ballet
read more

Grace Yeo: Classical review Wigmore Hall, London
 read more

New York
Reprising a Lindberg: Same Cast, New Date Yefim Bronfman Performs With the Philharmonic
read more

Feuilleton
Tomorrow’s Valhalla Critics Weigh In on Standout Operas of Recent Decades
Mehr Info

 Reviews vom 4.1.2014

Wien
Otto Schenk’s Opera Stagings Still at Home in Vienna
 read more

Nürnberg
Wagner: Das Rheingold
Staatstheater Nürnberg December 2013
 read more

Genua
Otello: Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa, 29th December 2013
 read more

London
The state of opera today (it’s not good)
Last year was a good year only for colleges of music, Opera North, The Welsh National Opera — and Wagner
read more

Glasgow
Music and Dance from the Ballet brings festive cheer to Glasgow
read more

New York
Die Fledermaus, Metropolitan Opera, New York – review
Jeremy Sams’ production of Johann Strauss’s operetta is lavish but clunky
 read more

Drunks, Dumb Tenor Toast 2014 at Met: Manuela Hoelterhoff
read more

Within This Chapel, Many Gods May Appear “La Descente d’Orphée aux Enfers’ at St. Paul’s Chapel
read more

Harmonic Complexity
That Moved Its Maker Clarion Choir in Rachmaninoff’s Vespers
read more

 Reviews vom 3.1.2014

London
The best operas in London and the UK to see in January
The best operas to see this January in London and across the UK, as well as information on how to purchase tickets
read more

Sonia Prina, Wigmore Hall
Handel, Prina and Ensemble Claudiana: a jam session of the highest order
http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/sonia-prina-wigmore-hall

New York
Weitere “Fledermaus”-Reviews
… In Which a Bat Flies Into the Schlag
Die Fledermaus at the Met, via Douglas Carter Beane
read more

Met rings in the new year with a glam and glossy “Fledermaus
See more at:
 read more

First Nighter: The Met’s New “Die Fledermaus” Far Too Batty
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-finkle/first-nighter-the-mets-ne_b_4528505.html

Gotham Chamber Opera soars with Charpentier’s “Orphee”
 read more

Feuilleton
Komponisten und der I. Weltkrieg
A lost generation – and some that need finding
http://jessicamusic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-lost-generation-and-some-that-need.html

CD-Besprechung
Die Schwedin mit der goldenen Stimme
Puccini, Giacomo – La Fanciulla del West http://magazin.klassik.com/reviews/reviews.cfm?TASK=REVIEW&RECID=25190&REID=14837

 Reviews vom 2.1.2014

Wien/ Konzerthaus
Wiener Symphoniker: Beethovens Neunte als Küsschen für alle
read more

Wien
Strauss und die Liebeserklär­ung
Philharmoniker-Vorstand Clemens Hellsberg über den Jahresregenten Richard Strauss
read more

Berlin
Silvesterkonzert, Philharmonie, Berlin – review
Lang Lang brought glitter and sparkle, while Simon Rattle added darkness
 read more

Dresden
Silvesterkonzert, Dresdener Staatskapelle, Semperoper Dresden – review
Neither the singers nor the conductor were at home in the world of operetta and musicals
read more

London
Carmen at the Royal Opera House – review
ONCE again the exuberant set pieces and magnificent performances of Francesca Zambello’s
read more

Ankara Opera and Ballet archive opens to public
read more

New York
Erste “Fledermaus”-Review
Opera Review: Bat-man Returns
The Met waltzes in 2014 with its new Fledermaus.
http://super-conductor.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/opera-review-bat-man-returns.html

Ein altbekanntes Thema: Husten im Konzert
Maestro at Work: Hold That Cough
read more

Death of Opera Greatly Exaggerated
https://www.sfcv.org/article/death-of-opera-greatly-exaggerated

Memphis
Makino Named Music Director at Opera Memphis
read more

Feuilleton
Richard Strauss is in the House
An Annotated Listing of Strauss Operas in 2014
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/richard-strauss-house/

Society
The first music baby of 2014 is a tenor’s
read more

 Reviews vom 1.1.2014

London
Queen to receive her Christmas carol at Easter after composer’s cancer battle
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is to deliver the Queen’s annual Christmas carol late after a battle against leukaemia.
 read more

Bach Unwrapped Finale: Mass in B minor
 read more

New York
Opera’s Sad Goodbye? How About, “Good Riddance’?
 read more

Exclusive Interview – Jumping into the Fire
Tenor Michael Fabiano on Met Opera’s ‘Fledermaus’ & Career Development
read more

Washington “Salute to Vienna’ a fine farewell to 2013
 read more

 

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