Tag Archives: Antonio Pappano

There’s no place like Rome: Pappano and the Santa Cecilians dazzle in Respighi

Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Respighi: Wang; Santa Cecilia/Pappano **** Royal Festival Hall, 11th May 2017 All roads lead to Rome. Last night however, the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia brought the Eternal City vividly to London in the form of two of … Continue reading

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Broken wings: Ermonela Jaho a devastating Madama Butterfly at Covent Garden

Puccini: Madama Butterfly **** The Royal Opera, 27th March 2017 Ermonela Jaho sure likes to put herself (and us) through the emotional wringer on Covent Garden’s stage. Her characters usually meet with a sticky end: Violetta and Mimì both succumb … Continue reading

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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

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From Butterfly to Ice Princess: Netrebko scales spinto heights

Verismo: Anna Netrebko (DG 479 5015) Anna Netrebko’s clearly game for a laugh. Some time in 2015, the Russian soprano wrested control of her social media from the PRs. Her selfies reveal someone who doesn’t take life – or herself … Continue reading

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Burning like fire: Sonya Yoncheva’s Norma scorches Covent Garden

Bellini: Norma **** Royal Opera, 12th September 2016 “Well, I think my Norma is something in between Maria Callas and Cecilia Bartoli.”Sonya Yoncheva, stepping into the title role at Covent Garden when Anna Netrebko decided Norma wasn’t for her after … Continue reading

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