Monthly Archives: January 2016

“Beer and beard”: Barenboim’s ruminative Brahms with the Bolívars

Brahms: Daniel Barenboim; Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela/ Gustavo Dudamel ** Royal Festival Hall, 17th January 2016 It was Paul Dukas who dismissed Brahms’ music as “too much beer and beard”. He would have had a field day with … Continue reading

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A Traviata to blow away the cobwebs at The Royal Opera

Verdi: La traviata **** The Royal Opera, 16th January 2016 Even we Verdi enthusiasts experience something of a heavy tread as we wend our way to yet another Traviata at the Royal Opera House. Richard Eyre’s classic production is revived … Continue reading

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A Corsaire full of brio from English National Ballet

Le Corsaire **** English National Ballet, The Coliseum, 13th January 2016 For oriental opulence crossed with swashbuckling bravado, English National Ballet’s Le Corsaire is a welcome antidote to winter gloom. Never mind that the plot – nominally based on Byron’s … Continue reading

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Firing blanks: a disappointing Tosca at Covent Garden

Puccini: Tosca ** The Royal Opera, 11th January 2016 Nothing sweeps away the Christmas excess of multiple Nutcrackers like the biting chords denoting the villainous Baron Scarpia at the start of Tosca. I have a sneaking fondness for Puccini’s ‘shabby … Continue reading

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Nézét-Séguin and Jacobs scamper into Mozart’s harem

Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail Mozart’s Singspiel Die Entführung aus dem Serail is suddenly flavour of the month. After a terrific new David McVicar production at Glyndebourne last summer, recent recordings find two conductors scampering into the harem, each with moments … Continue reading

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