Monthly Archives: October 2016

Wigmore Hall englouti: exquisite aquatic recital from Philippe Cassard

“Perspectives Debussy”: Philippe Cassard ***** Wigmore Hall, 29th October 2016 “Wigmore Hall is flooded now!” confessed Philippe Cassard. It was Claude Debussy who left the tap running, with every form of precipitation – rain, snow, fog – pouring from the … Continue reading

Posted in Concert | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Beloved Friend: Bychkov’s Tchaikovsky series closes with a provocative Pathétique

Tchaikovsky/Rachmaninov: BBCSO/Bychkov *** Barbican, 28th October 2016 In a world where our online arteries are clogged by instant messaging, it’s easy to make connections across the miles. Twitter, Whatsapp, Skype and countless other methods of communication enable friendships to grow … Continue reading

Posted in Concert | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Beloved Friend: Bychkov’s Tchaikovsky series closes with a provocative Pathétique

Pappano releases the shackles: an uplifting Fidelio in Rome

Beethoven: Fidelio **** Sala Santa Cecilia, Rome, 22nd October 2016 Released from the incarceration of directorial prison walls, Fidelio can still make a most powerful impact on the concert platform. Despite formal evening attire – Rachel Willis-Sørensen “Fidelio” in a … Continue reading

Posted in Concert, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Pappano releases the shackles: an uplifting Fidelio in Rome

Slow to ignite: tepid revival of Bizet’s Pearl Fishers at ENO

Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de perles *** English National Opera, 19th October 2016 After Zurga torches his village so he can rescue the lovers Nadir and Leïla from their death sentences during the ensuing panic, billowing “smoke” filled the Coliseum stage so … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Slow to ignite: tepid revival of Bizet’s Pearl Fishers at ENO

Downtown Nagasaki comes to Glyndebourne in Annilese Miskimmon’s Madama Butterfly

Puccini: Madama Butterfly *** Glyndebourne, 14th October 2016 How picturesque do you like your Puccini? Do you take your Turandot sweet or sour? How much lacquer is layered over your ideal Madama Butterfly? If you imagine a backdrop of Nagasaki … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Downtown Nagasaki comes to Glyndebourne in Annilese Miskimmon’s Madama Butterfly