Tag Archives: Clare Presland

Beethoven keeps the flame burning: Salonen and the Philharmonia recreate the 1808 Akademie

Beethoven: 1808 Reconstructed Salonen/ Philharmonia, Royal Festival Hall, 15th March 2020 The legendary Akademie at the Theater an der Wien on 22nd December 1808 was quite an event: a benefit concert for Ludwig van Beethoven, stuffed with premieres. Some of … Continue reading

Posted in Concert | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hot ice and strange snow: an unseasonal return for Carsen’s bed-hopping Dream

Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream **** English National Opera, 1st March 2018 Heading to the Coliseum for A Midsummer Night’s Dream amid snow and ice is a disconcerting prospect – “hot ice and strange snow” indeed. Forget wild thyme blowing and substitute … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A silvery Dream lost among the shadows: Britten at the Aldeburgh Festival

Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream **** Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh Festival, 12th June 2017 Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an opera swathed in a sensual, yet sinister score, conjured from a tiny ensemble where Oberon’s fairy kingdom is evoked by glistening glockenspiel, … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An atmosphere filled with dust and testosterone: Bieito’s Carmen returns to ENO

Bizet: Carmen *** English National Opera, 20th May 2015 Calixto Bieito’s Carmen is far removed from sun-drenched, picture postcard Seville. A bull and flamenco dresses make appearances, but these are nothing but illusions: the giant Osborne sherry company bull that looms … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on An atmosphere filled with dust and testosterone: Bieito’s Carmen returns to ENO

Mild palpitations only in Eichberg’s ‘operatic thriller’ Glare

Eichberg: Glare *** Linbury Studio, 14th November 2014 An operatic thiller? Can such a thing exist? Søren Nils Eichberg’s opera Glare tries hard to convince, at least initially. An edgy score and a succession of quick scene changes swiftly introduce characters … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mild palpitations only in Eichberg’s ‘operatic thriller’ Glare