PROM 5 – Schoenberg, Zemlinsky: BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Ryan Bancroft (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 22.7.2024. (CK) Schoenberg – Pelleas und Melisande Zemlinsky – Die Seejungfrau Schoenberg and Zemlinsky? It was bold of the BBC to recreate a Viennese concert in 1905 by harnessing these two fin de siècle behemoths (by composing ... Read more ..read more

Music at Paxton – Summer Festival of Chamber Music 2024 [2] – A Modern Folk Music Programme: Beth Malcolm (singer, keyboard), Heather Cartwright (guitar). Marquee, Paxton House, Scottish Borders, 20.7.2024. (MC) Music at Paxton is where experienced performers of international reputation unite with young performers of emerging talent. Appearing at Music at Paxton – Summer ... Read more ..read more

Music at Paxton – Summer Festival of Chamber Music 2024 [1] – Beethoven, Schubert: Viktoria Mullova (violin), Alasdair Beatson (piano). Picture Gallery, Paxton House, Scottish Borders, 19.7.2024. (MC) Beethoven – Violin Sonata in A major, Op.12, No.2; Violin Sonata in G major, Op.96 Schubert – Rondo in B minor, D895 In the splendour of the ... Read more ..read more

Blossom Festival 2024 [3] – Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Beethoven: Véronique Gens (soprano), Cleveland Orchestra / Antonello Manacorda (conductor). Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 20.7.2024. (MSJ) Mendelssohn – Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op.21 Berlioz – Les nuits d’été, Op.7 Beethoven – Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92 The Blossom Music Festival is the Cleveland ... Read more ..read more

Bampton Classical Opera – Gazzaniga, Alcina’s Island: Soloists, Orchestra of Bampton Classical Opera / Thomas Blunt (conductor). Bampton, Oxfordshire, 19.7.2024. (CP) Production: Director and Designer – Jeremy Gray Assistant Director – Christian Hey Costumes – Pauline Smith, Anne Baldwin Lighting – Ian Chandler Movement director – Karen Halliday Cast: Alcina – Inna Husieva Lesbia – ... Read more ..read more

Handel, Acis and Galatea: Soloists, Ensemble of Opera Holland Park, City of London Sinfonia / Michael Papadopoulos (conductor). Opera Holland Park, London, 19.7.2024. (AK) Production: Director – Louise Bakker Designer – Alyson Cummins Lighting designer – Johanne Jensen Chorographer – Merry Holden Cast: Antony Gregory – Acis Elizabeth Karani – Galatea Chuma Sijeqa – Polyphemus ... Read more ..read more

Marvão International Music Festival [1]: Veronika Eberle (violin), Juliane Banse (soprano), Cologne Chamber Orchestra / Christoph Poppen (conductor). Castelo de Marvão, Portugal, 20.7.2024. (LV) Beethoven – Coriolan Overture, Op.62; Violin Concerto, Op.61 Mendelssohn – Concert Aria ‘Infelice’, Op.94 On an open-air stage in the courtyard of windswept Marvão Castle, Veronika Eberle gave a performance of ... Read more ..read more

An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical: Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, 16.7.2024. (JPr) Another musical of another iconic hit film I have never seen! An Officer and a Gentleman came out in 1982 and starred Richard Gere as Zack Mayo training to become a US Navy Pilot. Douglas Day Stewart wrote the original screenplay and ... Read more ..read more

Wolf-Ferrari and Leoncavallo: Soloists, Children from Pimlico Musical Foundation, Chorus of Opera Holland Park, City of London Sinfonia / John Andrews (conductor, Wolf-Ferrari), Francesco Cilluffo (conductor, Leoncavallo). Opera Holland Park, London, 17.7.2024. (CC) Wolf-Ferrari – Il segreto di Susanna Production: Director – John Wilkie Designer – takis Lighting designer – Mark Jonathan Cast: Clare Presland ... Read more ..read more

Ebracher Musiksommer – Gigantisch: Philharmonie Festiva / Gerd Schaller (conductor). Ebrach Abbey, Germany. 14.7.2024. (KW) Bruckner – Symphony No.8 (1890) At the tumultuous close of this fast and passionate performance of Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony, Maestro Schaller held his arms aloft, the moment frozen, a stunned and extended silence, and I said to myself, ‘What the ... Read more ..read more