Monthly Archives: November 2015

A shattering Rite: Sasha Waltz’s Sacre at Sadler’s Wells

Sasha Waltz & Guests **** Sadler’s Wells, 11th November 2015 A century on, The Rite of Spring still has the power to shock. However, it’s frequently Igor Stravinsky’s score – rather than the choreography – which ignites this reaction in … Continue reading

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Barbed wire and gruel: cold comfort in ENO’s Force of Destiny

Verdi: La forza del destino *** English National Opera, 9th November 2015 “A co-production with Metropolitan Opera”: five words which probably explain why Calixto Bieito’s new production of Verdi’s The Force of Destiny for English National Opera is – for … Continue reading

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Blanc et noir: pianistic contrasts from Kovacevich and Argerich at Wigmore Hall

Debussy, Rachmaninov & Schubert: Argerich, Kovacevich **** Wigmore Hall, 2nd November 2015 In the pantheon of piano gods of my youth, Stephen Kovacevich and Martha Argerich take their place alongside the likes of Daniel Barenboim, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Radu Lupu. A … Continue reading

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Cinematic storytelling in English National Ballet’s fine Romeo and Juliet

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet *** English National Ballet, Southampton, 31st October 2015 Death lurks around every corner in Rudolf Nureyev’s Romeo and Juliet, created for English National Ballet (then named London Festival Ballet) back in 1977 and energetically performed here. Soon … Continue reading

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