Tag Archives: Anush Hovhannisyan

Welsh National Opera tackles Les Vêpres siciliennes but the vocal fireworks fail to ignite

Verdi: Les Vêpres siciliennes  Welsh National Opera, Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 8th February 2020 “Enough work to kill a bull!” was Verdi’s complaint about the effort of writing for the Paris Opéra. Les Vêpres siciliennes was the composer’s first original work … Continue reading

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McVicar’s Traviata is still darkly impressive

Verdi: La traviata *** Welsh National Opera, Southampton, 23rd November 2018 “I loathe Traviata!” declared David McVicar back in 2003, ahead of his stage production of Camille at the Lyric, Hammersmith. “I could never do such a coarse, clumsy reduction of this woman.” Perhaps this … Continue reading

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Prom 29: Twilight of the Old Believers as Semyon Bychkov leads a majestic Khovanshchina

Mussorgsky: Khovanshchina **** Prom 29, Royal Albert Hall, 6th August 2017 At the end of Götterdämmerung, Brünnhilde rides her horse onto a pyre. Although his opera’s not quite as long, Mussorgsky trumps Wagner by sending a whole chorus to their immolation as Act … Continue reading

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Esa-Pekka Salonen peels the layers of Peer Gynt

Grieg: Esa-Pekka Salonen/Philharmonia *** Royal Festival Hall, 26th November 2015 “You’re not an emperor, you’re an onion!” muses Peer Gynt, looking back on his life. He peels back the layers of an onion, recounting his many different guises… a rogue … Continue reading

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Betrothal and Betrayal in JPYA’s end of term performance at the Royal Opera

Jette Parker Young Artists’ Summer Performance *** Royal Opera House, 18th July 2015 School’s out for summer and with it the opportunity for the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists to showcase their talents in the end of term main … Continue reading

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