Author Archives: Mark Pullinger

Pushing the limits: Asmik Grigorian

Interview: Asmik Grigorian Really proud of this cover story for Gramophone – a soprano I greatly admire, but who hasn’t always seemed to enjoy doing interviews. We had a blast! And that cover must surely be the coolest Gramo has … Continue reading

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In Vienna, Lydia Steier stages Candide as a bawdy Broadway romp

Bernstein: Candide MusikTheater an der Wien, 21st January 2024 Opera? Operetta? Musical? Perhaps because Candide doesn’t slot into a neat category, it has struggled to find its niche in the repertoire. The work of a multitude of librettists – but … Continue reading

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In Vienna, a Turandot without the clichés

Puccini: Turandot Wiener Staatsoper, 7th December 2023 Who is Turandot? An ice princess from Chinese fairytale? Forget that in Claus Guth’s outstanding new staging for the Wiener Staatsoper. Never one to deal in kitsch or cliché, Guth has no place … Continue reading

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Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci: murder, lust and fiery singing

Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana; Leoncavallo: Pagliacci Royal Opera House, 30th November 2023 Anna The verismo twins Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci are back, fatally entwined since 1893, when Pietro Mascagni and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s one-act operas first shared a double bill. Their deadly … Continue reading

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A bloodless Salome at Staatsoper Hamburg

Strauss: Salome Staatsoper Hamburg, 29th October “I believe we must leave the killing out, when all is done.” Dmitri Tcherniakov seems to have taken a leaf from Starveling’s book in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His Salome for Staatsoper Hamburg is … Continue reading

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