Monthly Archives: November 2013

Round Britten: the operas on disc

Last week, I finally got my hands on the new 50 pence piece the Royal Mint issued to commemorate Britten’s centenary, inscribed with lyrics from his ‘Serenade for tenor, horn and strings’. It’s appearance in my sticky paws is nearly … Continue reading

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‘Shabby shocker’ fails to impress

Puccini: Tosca ** Metropolitan Opera, 9th November 2013 Putting tried and trusted productions out to grass and replacing them is always a gamble. ENO unveiled its new Magic Flute last week, a spritely filly though some will hanker after Hytner’s … Continue reading

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ENO’s new Magic Flute mixes high-tech with simple stagecraft

Mozart: The Magic Flute **** English National Opera, 7th November 2013 For all the risk-taking in the operatic world, productions which are guaranteed bums-on-seats bankers are like Nibelung gold. To scrap not one but two such productions is a brave … Continue reading

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