Reviews vom 31.5.2014

Wien
Meistersignaturen by the Wiener Staatsballett: A delightful evening of pure dance
read more

Dresden
Spontaneity and flare: Monteverdi madrigals in Dresden
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-arts-florissants-monteverdi-dresden

London
Dialogues des Carmélites, Royal Opera House, review:
‘focused and strong’ Rupert Christiansen admires a passionate, intelligent production of Poulenc’s powerful opera
read more
Dialogues des Carmélites review – a production that leaves you with a lump in your throat Royal Opera House, London A strong cast of singers and a sparse but stylish staging for Poulenc’s opera about Carmelite nuns
read more
Dialogues des Carmélites (Royal Opera House)
Poulenc’s opera of faith, grace and martyrdom in post-revolutionary France reaches Covent Garden in a minimal yet powerful staging by Robert Carsen
 read more
Dialogues des Carmélites, Royal Opera
Simon Rattle loves this score – but can the production match?
read more

Minimalist intensity: Robert Carsen’s Dialogues des Carmélites at Covent Garden http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-carmelites-rattle-roh-may-2014

Opera in cinemas: is it creating new audiences?
Hopes that screening operas in cinemas would send audiences to opera houses to experience the real thing are wide of the mark, according to a new survey
read more

New York
New York’s Metropolitan Opera Opens Its Budget Curtain Questions Raised About How the Opera Spends its Money as It Seeks Labor-Cost Savings
read more

Poe’s Lost Lenore Lives in Song and Dance NY Phil Biennial Opens With “The Raven’
read more

 

Reviews vom 30.5.2014

Salzburg
Interview Cecilia Bartoli Soars at Salzburg
read more

London
Dutch National Ballet, Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London – review
A showcase for the company’s cadet force of apprentice dancers
Mehr Info

Rosas, Vortex Temporum, Sadler’s Wells, review: ‘narcolepsy-inducing’
Despite its noble intentions, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s new production is purgatorial to watch, says Mark Monahan
read more

Academy of Ancient Music/Egarr review –
a buoyant all-Bach evening Milton Court, London Richard Egarr on harpsichord powered a spirited group of players with enjoyable facility
read more

Chicago
Jeanne Gang designing shell for Lyric Opera
read more

New York
The Raven, Gotham Chamber Opera, New York – review
Toshio Hosokawa’s mini-opera gives Poe’s poem a Japanese ritualistic setting
 read more

Neverwhere, Lincoln Center, New York – review
Benjamin Millipied tries his hand at an under-explored genre: science fiction ballet
 read more

Is This Music Ideal for Ballet?
A Leaping Reply New York City Ballet in a Broad Program at the Koch Theater
read more

Charlston
El Niño/Katya Kabanova, Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston, South Carolina – review
Operas by Adams and Janáček are among the highlights of this wide-ranging festival
read more

Los Angeles
LA Phil’s ‘Così Fan Tutte’ Isn’t Your Typical Opera http://laist.com/2014/05/28/cosi_fan_tutte_productions_arent_al.php

CultureZohn: Do All Women Really Behave That Way?
Cosi Fan Tutte at the LA Philharmonic
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patricia-zohn/cosi-fan-tutte_b_5404543.html

Chicago Symphony’s festival opener light on artistic truth but delivers sonic power
read more

 

Reviews vom 25.5.2015

London
All seats in Royal Opera House reserved for students
http://www.bbc.com/news/education-27548172

Rambert Dance Company, Sadler’s Wells, review
The revived Rolling Stones-inspired piece, Rooster, proves the exhilarating highlight of Rambert Dance Company’s spring programme, says Mark Monahan
read more

London
Symphony Orchestra Barbican, London – Review
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/5c562e1e-e0ef-11e3-875f-00144feabdc0.html

Tugan Sokhiev brings out the best in the Philharmonia
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-sokhiev-angelich-may-2014

Glyndebourne
Old, male opera critics are not the arbiters of all that is beautiful
Critics have berated mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught’s performance, not for her singing, but for her physique. I’m no expert, but surely opera is about more than a woman’s vital statistics
read more

Aldebourgh
Pierre-Laurent Aimard on Aldeburgh and Britten
 read more

Salisbury
Salisbury International Arts Festival diary –
Day One Matthew Stadlen introduces this year’s festival and is moved by a choral performance remembering those who fought in the First World War
read more

Bath
Gould Piano Trio review
– expressive detail and impressive insight Guildhall, Bath An 80th birthday tribute to Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and a James MacMillan premiere gave the trio full rein to deploy their impressive talents
 read more

Cleveland
Adding Technology to Animal Instincts “The Cunning Little Vixen’ Uses Projections in Cleveland
read more

San Diego
Report: Revived San Diego Opera to Cut Staff, But Still Needs $5.5 Million
Mehr Info

Feuilleton
Why did Richard Strauss write music for a Nazi war criminal?
Philippe Sands on what prompted the composer to honour Hans Frank, a mass murderer known as the ‘Butcher of Poland’, with a piece written especially for him
 read more

 

Reviews vom 24.5.2014

London
Opera Erratica: Triptych Review
mixed quality but a burning sense of potential An erotic fantasy at a suburban dinner party is one of the fresh and daring results of this company’s workshop improvisations
Mehr Info

Glyndebourne
It’s not sexist when opera critics find fault with Glyndebourne’s fat ladies
Our job is misunderstood: we’re upholding the unique beauty of this art form, and it’s our duty to hold any production to account
read more

Too Much Looking, Not Enough Listening?
New York Times Critics Respond to Glyndebourne “Fat’ Reviews
read more

Victoria Coren attacks newspapers for criticising opera star’s appearance
TV presenter says she was astonished by personal remarks about Tara Erraught in Telegraph, Times and Financial Times
read more

New York
Gaîté Parisienne, American Ballet Theatre, New York – Review
ABT revives Massine’s Belle Époque fantasy – but doesn’t quite get into the spirit of things
read more

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Mitsuko Uchida shine in Beethoven
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-uchida-jansons-brso-may-2014

Los Angeles
Theatrical victory belongs to Blanche in ‘Streetcar’ opera
read more

Feuilleton
The seven wonders of Dmitri Shostakovich
read more

London
Opera Erratica: Triptych Review
mixed quality but a burning sense of potential An erotic fantasy at a suburban dinner party is one of the fresh and daring results of this company’s workshop improvisations
Mehr Info

Glyndebourne
It’s not sexist when opera critics find fault with Glyndebourne’s fat ladies
Our job is misunderstood: we’re upholding the unique beauty of this art form, and it’s our duty to hold any production to account
read more

Too Much Looking, Not Enough Listening?
New York Times Critics Respond to Glyndebourne “Fat’ Reviews
read more

Victoria Coren attacks newspapers for criticising opera star’s appearance
TV presenter says she was astonished by personal remarks about Tara Erraught in Telegraph, Times and Financial Times
read more

New York
Gaîté Parisienne, American Ballet Theatre, New York – Review
ABT revives Massine’s Belle Époque fantasy – but doesn’t quite get into the spirit of things
read more

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Mitsuko Uchida shine in Beethoven
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-uchida-jansons-brso-may-2014

Los Angeles
Theatrical victory belongs to Blanche in ‘Streetcar’ opera
read more

Feuilleton
The seven wonders of Dmitri Shostakovich
read more

 

Review vom 23.5.2014

Berlin
Now Lorin Maazel cancels Berlin Philharmonic
 read more

Amsterdam
La Fura dels Baus’ Faust is as spectacular as Grand Opéra gets
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-faust-dno-fabiano-petrenko-may-2014

London Tanz
Rambert, Sadler’s Wells, London – review
The company performed a lively programme on its spring visit to the Wells
 read more

English National Ballet Emerging Dancer 2014
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-enb-emerging-dancer-london-may-2014

Explorations, Barbican, review: ‘riveting’
The Explorations concert series at the Barbican shows that marginal music is where it’s at, says Ivan Hewett
read more

Glyndebourne
Weiteres zur “Rosenkavalier”-Diskussion
Of course visuals count in opera.
But criticising female singers’ appearance is wrong A storm of outrage has broken following reviews of a mezzo-soprano’s performance. I’m not surprised
read more

Postscript: on opera and the critics’ responsibility
read more

Dame Kiri attacks ‘bullying’ opera critics
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27516983

Dublin
Review – Opera: Tosca, National Concert Hall, Dublin
read more

New York
How The Metropolitan Opera Could Go Dark This Summer
read more

Jansons, Bavarian Symphony close Carnegie stand with rapturous Brahms
read more

More Voices Than Usual,
Soaring in Service to Bach Oratorio Society of New York Performs “St. Matthew Passion’
read more

Washington
Deceit, Madness and Love, Imported Directly From Russia The Bolshoi Ballet’s “Giselle’ in Washington
read more

Reviews vom 22.5.2014

London
Interview Sally Matthews, the opera star who hates big egos
 read more

Britten’s blank postcard from Belsen: The Rape of Lucretia at the Royal Academy of Music http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-lucretia-ram-may-2014

Glyndebourne /Zur Diskussion über die “Rosenkavalier”-Kritiken
Singers point finger at critics in Glyndebourne Opera Festival sexism row
Critics attacked for describing Tara Erraught, who plays Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier at the Glyndebourne Opera Festival, as ‘dumpy’
read more

‘I stand by every word’
A review of Der Rosenkavalier at Glyndebourne has sparked a row about whether critics have the right to comment on a female singer’s appearance. Rupert Christiansen sticks to his guns “Opera is a visual as well as an aural experience, a form of theatre: it may be 75 per cent about the voice, but it is also 25 per cent about the ability to act well and create a convincing character.”
read more

Anger in opera world at ‘cruel’ criticism of female soprano star’s appearance
Descriptions of Irish mezzo soprano Tara Erraught’s weight condemned by leading opera figures
read more

Body shaming in opera: At what point is enough, enough?
An open letter from Harbour City Opera’s Artistic Director, soprano Sarah Anne Walker.
read more

Motherhood, Stress and Opera Singing
 read more

Opera festival director: It is inappropriate to mention body shape
 read more

Hull
Gloria: A Pigtale review –
five singing sausages on a mission Hull Truck theatre A clamorous, hyperactive production of HK Gruber’s ‘cabaret opera’ blends satire, rhythmic anarchy and hotdogs in hats
read more

New York
Met Orchestra’s Players Turn to Social Media
read more

For a Pianist, a Chance to Impress
Once Again Stanislav Khristenko Plays a Prize Recital at Zankel Hall
read more

Montreal
Sumptuous Turandot wants romantic chemistry at Opéra de Montréal
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-turandot-montreal-may-2014

Adelaide
Concert review: Kiri Te Kanawa 70th Birthday Gala Tour
read more

Reviews vom 21.5.2014

Berlin
A sublime and heartbreaking Tosca at the Deutsche Oper Berlin
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-tosca-colla-berlin-may-2014

Moskau
Stravinsky’s ‘Nightingale’ Restaged at Helikon Opera
read more

London
Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Royal Festival Hall, London – review
Two concerts offered Italian music, thoughtfully presented, strongly performed
read more

Glyndebourne
Opera reviewers: forget the body shaming and focus on the singing
How sad that the merits of Tara Erraught’s performance in Der Rosenkavalier have been overshadowed by comments about her physique
read more

Weitere “Onegin”-Reviews
Glyndebourne 2014: Eugene Onegin, review: ‘a masterly, poetic production’
Rarely does one find Eugene Onegin as fresh and fine-tuned as it is in Glyndebourne’s current production, says Rupert Christiansen
read more
Eugene Onegin @ Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Lewes
read more

New York
The State of the Art at the Metropolitan Opera
The Second in a Four-Part Post-Season Analysis of The Met
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/state-art-metropolitan-opera/

Cleveland
Cleveland Orchestra triumphs in The Cunning Little Vixen
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-vixen-welser-most-cleveland-may-2014

Los Angeles
Renee Fleming creates a Blanche DuBois to remember in L.A. Opera’s “A Streetcar Named Desire’
read more
Review Rapturous response to André Previn’s ‘Streetcar Named Desire’
read more
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’: Theater Review
read more

San Diego
San Diego Opera will stay open, put on Mozart, Puccini, John Adams
Mehr Info

Reviews vom 20.5.2014

London/Nachtrag zur “Cosi”
Così Fan Tutte review – fun but superficial spin on Mozart
The ENO’s new version of Mozart’s opera is visually full-on, but loses sight of some of its disturbing emotional underpinning
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/18/cosi-fan-tutte-review-eno

Italian blood and thunder in the most operatic of Requiems
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-pappano-calleja-cecilia-may-2014

Tanz
The Measures Taken, Alexander Whitley Company, Linbury Theatre, review:
‘inventive’
Alexander Whitley’s double bill impresses Laura Thompson, but it’s too long
read more

Glyndebourne
Eugene Onegin, Glyndebourne, East Sussex, UK – review
With a new cast of principals, Graham Vick’s powerful production rings truer than ever
read more

Eugene Onegin, Glyndebourne
A void in handsome-looking but undernuanced revival of Tchaikovsky’s lyric scenes
http://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/eugene-onegin-glyndebourne

Nachtrag zum “Rosenkavalier”
Der Rosenkavalier review
new Glyndebourne staging lacks emotion Elegant vocal performances and Robin Ticciati’s efficient conducting mark Strauss’s comic opera, but Richard Jones’s staging doesn’t make you laugh or cry
read more

Birmingham
CBSO/Nelsons review: big and muscular, but with moments of classical delicacy
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Nelsons often trusted the CBSO strings to take the initiative, with just occasional promptings and urgings from the podium
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/15/cbso-nelsons-haydn-review

New York
Going for Visceral Excitement in Popular Standbys
Mariss Jansons Leads the Bavarian in Berlioz and Shostakovich
read more

A Spring Season Unfolds With a Youthful Flourish Debuts at New York City Ballet
read more

San Diego
San Diego opera has the cash. Is the announcement of a 2015 season imminent?
read more

Sidney
Opera review: Menotti & Mozart (Sydney Conservatorium)
read more

Melbourne
Opera review: La Traviata (Victorian Opera)
read more

 

Reviews vom 19.5.2014

Absage des Tages
Anna Netrebko cancels rest of tour
“The laryngotracheitis that caused Anna Netrebko to postpone her concert in Kazan scheduled for May 12 has unexpectedly developed into a more acute respiratory infection with high fever, prompting her doctor in Vienna to order her to remain on vocal rest through May 27.”
read more

London
Gawain Review
fully restored, pointlessly staged, superbly performed version of Birtwistle’s fourth opera Barbican, London The unexpurgated version of Harrison Birtwistle’s opera, kicking off the Barbican’s 80th-birthday season for the composer, let its magnificent singers down with a superfluous staging
read more

Gawain (BBCSO)
Birtwistle’s opera based on Arthurian legend receives an outing in honour of the composer’s 80th birthday.
read more

Glyndebourne
Der Rosenkavalier, Glyndebourne, East Sussex, UK – Review
read more
Glyndebourne 2014: Der Rosenkavalier, Review
Despite a few errors of judgment, there were plenty of revelations in Glyndebourne’s vibrant opening production
read more
Der Rosenkavalier, Glyndebourne
Richard Jones finds new order in Strauss and Hofmannsthal’s rococo comedy for Music
http://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/der-rosenkavalier-glyndebourne

New York
Trouble in the Pit:
Metropolitan Opera Musicians Inch Towards Strike, General Manager Peter Gelb Refusing Common Ground on Salary Cuts
read more

Mahler, Together With an Old Friend
Bernard Haitink Conducts the Philharmonic
read more

Toronto
Canadian Opera Company puts on Donizetti’s ‘Roberto Devereux’
Mehr Info

 

Reviews vom 18.5.2014

Todesmeldung
Bulgarian opera great Nicola Ghiuselev dies
read more

Moskau
Bolshoi Theater Plans Tchaikovsky Celebrations
read more

London
Così fan tutte, ENO, review: ‘amiable and colourful’
This unchallenging version of Mozart’s opera will please ENO fans, says Rupert Christiansen
read more

Così fan tutte (ENO)
All the fun of the fair at English National Opera as Mozart’s amorous merry-go-round returns in a sparkling new production
read more

Così fan tutte, English National Opera
A superb and imaginative take on a classic operatic comedy
read more

“All ladies are like that”: Così at the Carnival
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-cosi-eno-may-2014

Gawain, Barbican, review: ‘heroically intense’
Harrison Birtwistle’s opera bullies you into submission. This production bravely tries to fight it, says Ivan Hewett
read more

Tosca at the Royal Opera House review: Roberto Alagna shines in Puccini’s great work
read more

Tosca @ Royal Opera House, London
read more

New York
As Labor Talks Begin, Considering the Met’s Essential Role
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/labor-talks-begin-considering-mets-essential-role/

Sidney
Concert review: Mendelssohn’s Elijah (Sydney Opera House)
read more

 

Reviews vom 17.5.2014

Prag
One swallow doesn’t quite make a spring: La rondine in Prague
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-rondine-prague-spring-may-2014

London
John Tomlinson: ‘my toughest challenge’
Opera star, Sir John Tomlinson, talks to John Allison about ageing, Wagner and Harrison Birtwistle’s 80th birthday celebrations
read more

Yende, Vaughan, Cadogan Hall
This lyric soprano is the real thing. Unfortunately her recital programme mostly wasn’t
http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/yende-vaughan-cadogan-hall

No more than Pretty; Yende and Vaughan at Cadogan Hall
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-yende-vaughan-cadogan-may-2014

Royal Ballet triple bill, Royal Opera House, London – Review
Christopher Wheeldon’s “Danse à grande vitesse’ was the highlight of an ill-devised programme
read more

Nikolai Lugansky review – dazzling technique in a dark programme Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
The demands of Prokofiev and Rachmaninov allow the pianist to display his beautifully articulated skills
read more

Brighton
Tanz
Talk to the Demon by Wim Vandekeybus: darkly comic and dangerously honest
read more

Aldebourgh
Vorschau
Britten’s “Owen Wingrave’ at Aldeburgh Festival
read more

New York
Vorschau
Opera Glasses, Google Edition
read more

Union Jack & Davidsbündlertänze, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center, New York – Review
Two Balanchine ballets explore contrasting emotions
read more

 

Reviews vom 16.5.2013

Wien
Harteros and Rieger breeze through a “Solistenabend” of Wolf and Strauss at the Staatsoper
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-harteros-rieger-vienna-may-2014

Paris
Ali Baba, Opéra Comique, Paris – review
Charles Lecocq’s camp extravaganza is gratuitously updated
read more

London
The Royal Ballet triple bill, Royal Opera House, review
read more

Romeo and Juliet, Scottish Ballet, Sadler’s Wells, review: ‘gripping’
This successful revival updates Shakespeare’s tale to 20th-century Italy, says Rachel Ward
read more

The Pajama Game, Shaftesbury Theatre, London – review
A musical with an irresistible mix of waspish comedy, droll songs and exuberant dance
read more

Kronos at 40 review – an oddly conservative celebration Barbican, London
The influential quartet marked their 40th anniversary with new works by Bryce Dessner of the National and Jarvis Cocker, but much of the evening fell flat
read more

Glasgow
Scottish Opera announces 2014/15 season
read more

Glyndebourne
Teodora Gheorghiu: There’s no magic to opera singing
As Teodora Gheorghiu prepares to sing in Der Rosenkavalier at Glyndebourne, she tells Rupert Christiansen how she overcame an illness that threatened her career
read more

New York
Philharmonic Transformation, From Members to Mission
New York Philharmonic Faces Big Orchestra Hiring Decisions
read more

Expressing Schubert With the Voice of Bitter Experience
Florian Boesch Performs “Winterreise’ at Carnegie Hall
read more

Hongkong
Gounod’s Faust in “Le French May” in Hong Kong
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-faust-lisnic-pop-hong-kong-may-2014

 

Reviews von 15.5.2014

Paris
Le Palais de cristal/Daphnis et Chloé, Opéra Bastille, Paris – review
Paris Opera Ballet shows off its
neoclassical nous in a double bill of Balanchine and Millepied
read more

In Paris, Benjamin Millepied Rises to the Occasion
read more

Rotterdam
Knight Errant: Brahms’ Beautiful Magelone in Rotterdam
Michael Volle/Thomas Quasthoff/Helmut Deutsch
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-volle-magelone-rotterdam-may-2014

London
Olivier Dubois, Tragédie, review
Mark Monahan is underwhelmed by Olivier Dubois’s all-nude dance production, Tragédie
read more

Birmingham
CBSO/Rattle/Donohoe review – a euphoric reception for the returning conductor
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Simon Rattle brought nobility and urgency while Peter Donohoe played as if visited by the spirit of Rachmaninov
read more

Glasgow
Two Haas premieres, City Halls, Glasgow – review
The Austrian composer’s work was the exhilarating highlight of the BBCSSO’s Tectonics festival
read more

Tectonics festival review
– a heady tangle of classical and experimental City Halls, Glasgow Impressively ambitious new festival with indie icons such as Richard Youngs alongside discoveries such as Catherine Lamb – all played with unwavering skill by the BBCSSO
read more

New York
Met Orchestra Authorizes Strike Vote if Talks Fail
read more

An Immersion in Dvorak, With Operatic Fervor
The Met Orchestra Ends Its Season at Carnegie Hall
read more

Deciphering Harsh Poetry in Modernist Works
Peter Serkin Brings Musical Abstraction to 92nd Street Y
read more

Berkeley
OPERA REVIEW: Cherubini’s MÉDÉE: A Rare Operatic Gem Performed in Berkeley
read more

Fort Worth
A Pathbreaking Nun Forced Into Silence
Fort Worth Opera’s premiere of ‘With Blood, With Ink’
read more

Toronto
Don Quichotte redeemed by star Italian bass: review
Purity of Ferruccio Furlanetto’s singing and acting make B-list opera worthwhile
read more

Don Quichotte enchants with luscious singing and whimsical design
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-furlanetto-quichotte-toronto-may-2014

Don Quichotte a brilliant end to a satisfying COC season (Review)
http://blog.scena.org/2014/05/don-quichotte-brilliant-end-to.html

 

Reviews vom 14.5.2014

Amsterdam
Grandiosity from members of the Dutch National Ballet Junior Company
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-dnb-junior-company-amsterdam-may-2014

Turin
Guglielmo Tell, Teatro Regio, Turin – review
Musically this production is a treat; visually it is less successful
read more

London
Tosca, Royal Opera House, review
read more
Tosca (Royal Opera)
Director Jonathan Kent’s vivid staging of Puccini’s verismo classic returns to Covent Garden yet again
read more
Tosca, Royal Opera House, London – review
They lacked subtlety, but the cast had the decibels and guts to deliver the raw melodrama
read more
A Tosca which falls flat?
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-tosca-dyka-alagna-roh-may-2014

Edinburgh
Madama Butterfly, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh – review
Korean soprano Hye-Youn Lee brought an assertive edge to the title role
read more

 New York
A Music Festival Dies, and an Orchestra Mourns
The Pittburgh Symphony Orchestra Plays at Carnegie Hall
read more

Baltimore
Lyric Opera Baltimore offers vigorous, passionate “Nabucco’
read more

Maskat
Dvorak’s opera dazzles audience at the Royal Opera House Muscat
read more

Wellington
A Taste of the 2014 NZ Opera Season
read more

 

Reviews vom 13.5.2014

Berlin
A ghostly and fabulous Lucia di Lammermoor at the Deutsche Oper
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-sabirova-lucia-berlin-may-2014

Amsterdam
Grandiosity from members of the Dutch National Ballet Junior Company
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-dnb-junior-company-amsterdam-may-2014

Turin
Guglielmo Tell, Teatro Regio, Turin – review
Musically this production is a treat; visually it is less successful
read more

London
Tosca, Royal Opera House, review
read more
Tosca (Royal Opera)
Director Jonathan Kent’s vivid staging of Puccini’s verismo classic returns to Covent Garden yet again
read more
Tosca, Royal Opera House, London – review
They lacked subtlety, but the cast had the decibels and guts to deliver the raw melodrama
read more
A Tosca which falls flat?
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-tosca-dyka-alagna-roh-may-2014

Edinburgh
Madama Butterfly, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh – review
Korean soprano Hye-Youn Lee brought an assertive edge to the title role
read more

New York
A Music Festival Dies, and an Orchestra Mourns
The Pittburgh Symphony Orchestra Plays at Carnegie Hall
read more

Baltimore
Lyric Opera Baltimore offers vigorous, passionate “Nabucco’
read more

Maskat
Dvorak’s opera dazzles audience at the Royal Opera House Muscat
read more

Wellington
A Taste of the 2014 NZ Opera Season
read more

 

Reviews vom 12.5.2014

Paris
Orphée et Eurydice: le Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris ressuscite Pina
read more

London
Antonio Pappano interview: ‘This elitist label is tiresome
Opera is so visceral’
The Royal Opera’s music director on elitism, overwork, Beyoncé – and why conductors are like football managers
read more

New York
Top of the Line
Standouts of American Ballet Theater’s Corps de Ballet
read more

R. Nathaniel Dett “The Ordering of Moses”
Heavy-handed presentation undermines Cincinnati Symphony revival of Dett’s “Moses”
read more

Haitink and Kavakos bring insight to Berg with the New York Philharmonic
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-haitink-kavakos-may-2014

Baltimore
An impassioned, vocally inconsistent ‘Nabucco’ from Lyric Opera Baltimore
read more

Bücher
Piano Man: a Life of John Ogdon by Charles Beauclerk, review
A new biography of the great British pianist whose own genius destroyed him
read more

München/ Musiktheater-Biennale
Milizen, Miezen und Matritzen
Oper “Vastation-Wüstung” von Samy Moussa bei der Biennale
Mehr Info/

 

Reviews vom 11.5.2014

Lyon
Lyon Opera Ballet’s ni fleurs, ni ford-mustang
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-lyon-opera-ballet-bam-nyc-may-2014

London
Julia Lezhneva, Barbican, London – review
read more

Rolando Villazón review – careful, unexpected Mozart reaps dividends Cadogan Hall, London
The big-name Mexican tenor’s programme of neglected Mozart arias was a convincingly sincere reinvention read more

Mozart concert arias from Rolando Villazón fail to engage
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-mozart-villazon-may-2014

Brighton
Down by the Greenwood Side, Brighton Festival, review:
‘powerful, but pretentious’ An ‘immersive’ update of Harrison Birtwistle’s cruel drama is as uncompromising as ever, says Rupert Christiansen
read more

Wrexham
Welsh National Opera ‘revolution’ hits Wrexham streets
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-27343558

Edinburgh
Scottish Opera’s Madama Butterfly review –
Hye-Youn Lee is convincing and nuanced in central role Festival Theatre, Edinburgh David McVicar’s classic production offers straight, heartfelt entertainment with a compelling cast and supple orche
read more

New York
Big Opera’s Den Mother Moves On Sarah Billinghurst on Her Tenure at the Met
read more

Celebrating Old Times With New: A Premiere New York City Ballet Opens Season With Gala
read more

Orchestra Welcomes a Longtime Collaborator
Bernard Haitink Leads the New York Philharmonic
read more

Philadelphia
Review: ‘Salome’ at Opera Philadelphia brings a ‘rafter-rousing ovation’
 read more

Philly Orchestra’s ‘Salome’ goes beyond restraint
read more

Fort Worth
Review: The 2014 Fort Worth Opera Festival
read more

San Diego
San Diego Opera reaches $1-million crowd-funding goal
read more

Longbeach
For Long Beach Opera, Kurt Vonnegut-Wynton Marsalis pairing overdue
read more

Greenmount Beach, Coolangatta Opera on the Beach
– The Magic Flute | Opera Australia
read more

 

Reviews vom 10.5.2014

Amsterdam
Elīna Garanča gives a polished performance of Schumann, Berg and Strauss at the Concertgebouw
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-garanca-concertgebouw-may-2014

London
La Traviata (Royal Opera)
Ailyn Perez and Stephen Costello take over the lead roles to thrilling effect
read more

Julia Lezhneva/Il Giardino Armonico/Antonini review
Barbican, London The young Russian soprano’s artistry found unforgettable spiritual expression
 read more

Sublime Strauss with the LSO’s
Der Rosenkavalier excerpts
 read more

Glyndebourne
Top ten essential Glyndebourne facts
Where exactly is Glyndebourne? And do you need to dress up? Rupert Christiansen has the answers
read more

New York
Metropolitan Opera 2013-14 – Year in Review:
Looking Back at Best Moments of the Season
read more

An Ohio Troupe Returns,
With a Boy-Needs-Girl Story and a Rock Star’s Songs Cincinnati Ballet at the Joyce Theater
read more

Rochester Philharmonic/Merry Mount, Carnegie Hall, New York – review
Howard Hanson’s opera still sounds turgid, bloated and bombastic after 80 years
 read more

Boston
Kurt Masur’s Son Named Assistant Conductor in Boston
read more

Feuilleton
Petrenko: I don’t believe women conductors are a distraction
Vasily Petrenko was abused for an interview in which he seemed anti-women. He puts the record straight with Adam Sweeting
Mehr Info

 

Reviews vom 9.Mai 2014

Berlin
An Elegant and Spirited Evening of Brahms and Strauss with the Staatskapelle Berlin
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-pollini-barenboim-berlin-may-2014

London
Marriage of Figaro: Stunning opera based on Mozart’s comedy of class tensions
read more

OAE/Rattle, Royal Festival Hall, London – Review
Simon Rattle brought rhythmic bounce and textural clarity to Haydn’s masterpiece
Mehr Info

OAE/Rattle: The Creation review
– there wasn’t a dull moment
Royal Festival Hall, London
Simon Rattle’s searching, driving conducting of Hadyn’s oratorio and the orchestra’s inspired response exceeded expectations
read more

New York
Confections of History, Lovingly Decorated City Ballet Presents an All-Balanchine Evening
read more

Dallas
Strings Attached
Violin legend Itzhak Perlman may not sound like he used to, but he gives the AT&T Performing Arts Center audience what they came to hear.
read more

Feuilleton
Your first opera: What should it be? And why?
Ahead of our exciting Inside Opera live-streamed event on 10 May that will showcase some of the dynamic and complex productions in opera houses today, Tom Service considers which would be the best opera to take a first-timer to. What did you see first?
read more

Reviews vom 8.Mai 2014

Moskau
Jiří Kylián evening, Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre, Moscow – review
The Stanislavsky Ballet is taking its audience on a promising journey
read more

Glyndebourne
Sir George Christie – obituary
Sir George Christie was the driving force behind Glyndebourne for almost 40 years, transforming his family seat with a magnificent new opera house
read more

New York
Metropolitan Opera 2013-14 Review – ‘Cenerentola’:
Juan Diego Florez’s Star Power on Display in Rossini’s Charming Comedy
read more

Seattle Symphony, Carnegie Hall, New York – review
The ambience at this Spring for Music Festival event was casual, the music-making anything but
read more

City Ballet’s 2014-15 Season to Feature Ballets by Peck, Scarlett and Ratmansky
read more 

Sarasota
Ashton Festival, Sarasota Opera House, Florida – review
Sarasota Ballet celebrates a master choreographer – and puts British ballet troupes to shame
read more

Santa Fe
Santa Fe Opera announces lineup for 2015
read more

Feuilleton
Jessye Norman Talks About “Stand Up Straight and Sing!’
read more

What happens to retired ballerinas?
Having spent your teenage years chained to the barre, you will emerge under-prepared for ordinary life, says Rupert Christiansen
read more

 

Reviews vom 7.5.2014

London
Inside Opera: Live stream hopes to widen access to UK’s opera houses
Online linkup between all seven public-funded companies will be streamed on YouTube and aims to find younger audience
read more

Weitere “Theban-Reviews”:
Thebans, Coliseum, London – review
Composer Julian Anderson and librettist Frank McGuinness tackle Sophocles’s Theban tragedies
read more

A Composer’s Ambitious Take on Sophocles Makes a Big Impression in London
A Review of Julian Anderson’s “Thebans’ for the English National Opera
read more

Thebans, Coliseum, opera review: A viscerally powerful production from Pierre Audi
read more

Oleg Caetani interview
The conductor is about to make a belated Covent Garden debut with Puccini’s “Tosca’
read more

LSO/Mark Elder/Imogen Cooper review – a breath of fresh air for Strauss’s
150th anniversary Mark Elder oversees a wonderful performance of the rarely heard tone poem Macbeth
read more

Dublin
A Rattling Good Creation
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-creation-oae-rattle-dublin-may-2014

New York
Met Opera Contract Talks Stumble to a Start
read more

Tanz
An Artist’s New York Moment
Christian Rizzo Is in Spotlight in New York Festival
read more

Long Beach
Long Beach Opera’s inspired take on “A Solider’s Tale’ may not be everyone’s taste
read more

Sidney
Opera Australia in red despite critical success
THE most ambitious season in Opera Australia’s history — including harbourside opera, a Broadway musical and a Ring cycle — has landed the company with a $2.4 million operating loss.
read more

Reviews vom 6.5.2014

Zürich
Howarth statt Bolton im Zürcher Opernhaus
Aus gesundheitlichen Gründen muss Ivor Bolton das Dirigat der kommenden Premiere von Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria abgeben. Für ihn springt Robert Howarth ein
read more

Moskau
Stanislavsky’s ‘Aida’ Leaves Much to Be Desired
read more

London
Le nozze di Figaro, Royal Opera House – classical review
read more

Le nozze di Figaro (Royal Opera)
A superb cast brings Mozart’s comedy to life in an effervescent performance at Covent Garden
read more

Nikolaj Znaider/LSO, Barbican, London – review
The violinist relaxed into his conducting role – eventually
read more

New York
Met Opera review: Why folks go mad over “I Puritani’
read more

Insanely Pursuing Love, Be It Opera or Reality Show
Haydn’s “Orlando Paladino’ at Manhattan School of Music
read more

Can You Hear Me Now? Turn That Thing Off!
Philadelphia Orchestra Performs at Carnegie Hall
read more

Washington
BWW Reviews: WNO’s Eye-Popping MAGIC FLUTE Casts a Musical Spel
read more

Washington
National Opera offers “The Magic Flute’ in a color-saturated production
read more

 Dallas
Building Musical Brands That Deliver
In his latest Off the Cuff, The Dallas Opera’s Keith Cerny returns from hearing auditions in New York, and has tips for future auditioners.
read more

Vancouver
Review: Vancouver Opera’s opulent Don Carlo (with video)
read more

Feuilleton
Three Stars Who Navigate on High C’s
Opera Stars and the Revival of Bel Canto
read more

Reviews vom 5.5.2014

Moskau
Mischief and fun in the Bolshoi’s The Bright Stream
read more

 London
Thebans review – Julian Anderson’s dazzling new English National Opera adaptation Coliseum, London
Julian Anderson and librettist Frank McGuinness have brilliantly compressed Sophocles’s trilogy into a compelling and dramatic narrative that feels fresh and thrilling
read more

 Thebans, ENO, London Coliseum, review: ‘adequate but not inspired’
This new interpretation of Sophocles’ dramas is just too short, says Rupert Christiansen
read more

 Thebans, English National Opera
Julian Anderson’s first opera offers a meditation on myth and human frailty
 http://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/thebans-english-national-opera

 ENO unveils new take on Oedipus tragedy
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27275235

 Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott review – their teamship is impeccable Wigmore Hall, London
Yo-Yo Ma returned to Wigmore Hall for the first time in 20 years, while a devastated Julian Lloyd Webber bowed out
read more

 New York
A Concert for Characters
‘Pixar in Concert’ From the New York Philharmonic
 read more

 San Francisco
Kurt Weill meets Francis Poulenc in Opera Parallèle’s innovative production
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-parallele-tiresias-mahagonny-apr-2014

 Sidney
Dance review: Chroma (Australian Ballet, Sydney Opera House)
read more

 

Reviews vom 4.5.2014

Prag
A disappointing Cunning Little Vixen in Prague
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-vixen-prague-apr-2014

London
English opera needs artful ideas to stay in business
The company must put the interests of arts lovers before those of accountants, writes Jan Dalley
 read more

Decibel-busting Prokofiev at its most gloriously
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-ashkenazy-ivan-terrible-may-2014

Leeds
La Bohème, Opera North, Grand Theatre, Leeds, review
‘hits hard’ Opera North’s La Bohème has impassioned performances and a beguiling score, says Rupert Christiansen
read more

New York
Metropolitan Opera 2013-14 Review ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’:
Marvelous Cast & Conductor Deliver Complex Comedy in Mozart’s Timeless Masterwork
 read more

Suspenseful Last Note for a Tribute to Britten
“War Requiem’ by Britten, With an Angelic Touch
 read more

Atlanta Symphony and Chorus shine a light darkly on Britten’s “War Requiem”
read more

Boston
Soprano provides the highlights in BLO’s uneven “Puritani”
read more

Washington
Interview “Magic Flute’ winds up Jun Kaneko’s (intense, nonstop, decade-long) jaunt into opera
read more

Feuilleton / Interview
Harrison Birtwistle: ‘I don’t think, with hindsight, I was a natural musician’
Harrison Birtwistle is one of the world’s greatest living composers as well as the most reticent. He talks revealingly to Fiona Maddocks about music, art and life in this extract from her new book
Mehr Info

Docu-opera: when a life becomes a libretto
From Richard Nixon and Colonel Gaddafi to Anna Nicole Smith – and now Alan Turing – operas are turning to biography
Mehr Info

CD-Besprechung
Glasklar und gefühlvoll – Clemens Krauss dirigiert Richard Strauss
Mehr Info

Reviews vom 3.5.2014

London
ENO moves into the West End musical business
ENO strikes commercial deal to stage West End musicals in bid to become “a modern opera of the future”
read more

London Sinfonietta, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London – review
Dutch composer Michel van der Aa’s new work transcended its philosophical pretensions
 read more

Basel
Symphony Orchestra/Nyman/Pärt/Glass/Davies – review
Davies seemed unable to conjure momentum – and after a packed week of concerts, there were episodes when the rhythms did not take flight
 read more

New York
Everything’s Up-to-Date (or at Least From the Late ’80s) New York City Ballet’s Spring Season Begins
read more

Sarasota
Tanz A Troupe in Lock Step With the Wit of a Master Frederick Ashton Festival in Sarasota Honors a Legacy
read more

Indianapolis
Indianapolis Opera’s artistic director resigns; new season announcement on hold
read more

Montreal
The majesty of Zemlinsky’s Die Seejungfrau revealed in Montreal
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-conlon-seejungfrau-montreal-apr-2014

Melbourne Opera review: The Turk in Italy, Opera Australia
read more

Feuilleton
What do conductors do?
Do orchestras really need someone flapping their arms on a podium? Yes, actually. Ivan Hewett explains why
 read more

 

Reviews vom 2.Mai 2014

Nancy
La Clemenza di Tito, Opéra national de Lorraine, Nancy, France – review
read more

London
ENO’s long-term health far from assured
New figures released today show stronger financial results for English National Opera but, says Rupert Christiansen, its long-term health is still in jeopardy
read more

Joseph Calleja review – peerless in this repertoire
Royal Festival Hall, London Calleja despatched familiar arias with considerable effect, but it was in the French operatic repertoire that vocal resource and artistic accomplishment came together best
read more

Vorschau
Frank McGuinness: how I turned Oedipus into an opera
For his first opera, Frank McGuinness has turned Sophocles’s Oedipus trilogy into a single piece. He explains how his own family and politics helped him tap into Thebans’ themes of vengeance and murder
read more

Sergio Tiempo, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London – review
A programme of highly contrasted pieces from the Argentinian pianist
 read more

Leeds
La Bohème, Opera North review
veteran production still holds up well Grand theatre, Leeds With its homage to the silver screen, Opera North’s revival offers a fine showcase for young singers
read more

Opera North’s La bohème still has plenty of sparkle
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-boheme-istoc-gueze-apr-2014

New York Strong leads in Met’s Puritani revival
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-puritani-met-apr-2014

21st Century Choreographers I, Lincoln Center, New York – review
Ballet girl meets jookin boy as French street photographer JR makes his choreographic debut
read more

Chicago
Opera America awards grant to Lyric Opera of Chicago
Mehr Info

 Reviews vom 1.Mai 2014

Berlin
A new L’elisir d’amore sparkles at the Deutsche Oper
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-berlin-elisir-apr-2014

Moskau
Bolshoi Ballet, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow – review
Among the Bolshoi’s premieres was perhaps the first ballet about hygiene
read more

London
Mike Leigh on board for The Pirates of Penzance opera
Filmmaker to direct English National Opera production of Gilbert and Sullivan classic at Coliseum next year read more

Arditti Quartet, Milton Court Concert Hall, London – review
The quartet’s 40th anniversary was celebrated over the course of a day
read more

New York
Aufführung von Morton Feldmans 2. Streichquartett: Dauer an die 6 Stunden
A Marathon Performance (Aches, Too)
read more

Colorado
Symphony orchestra goes to pot
Colorado Symphony gets into bed with cannabis companies in hopes of hitting new highs. “The Colorado Symphony Orchestra has announced that it intends to perform a series of “cannabis-friendly” fundraising concerts sponsored by representatives of the state’s legalised pot industry. The concerts, which they are calling “Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series”, are supposedly a means of supplementing the cash-strapped orchestra’s income and, it is hoped, increasing its dwindling audiences.”
read more

San Diego
San Diego Opera’s crowdfunding campaign has strong start
read more

Halifax
Interview Jane Archibald: From Truro to the world’s great opera houses
read more

Santa Barbara
Review: Opera Santa Barbara’s The Consul and SBCC’s
Ground Weekend openings depict American attitudes and ideas about documentation and rights.
read more

Toronto
Beauty triumphs in Opera Atelier’s Persée
http://bachtrack.com/de_DE/review-persee-atelier-apr-2014

Perth
Bold plan for $1.2 billion opera house on the Perth waterfront
 read more

Feuilleton
Barring fate or death, artists are not the retiring types
As Julian Lloyd Webber knows only too well, artists generally want to create into old age
 read more

Bertolt Brecht: Opera’s Voice of Reason
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/bertolt-brecht-operas-voice-reason/