Tag Archives: Dmitri Tcherniakov

Rites of Spring: Tcherniakov embraces Rimsky-Korsakov’s hymn to nature at the Bastille

Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden **** Opéra Bastille, 15th April 2017 There’s a wonderful painting by Ilya Repin of an aged Leo Tolstoy in peasant clothing. Having renounced his aristocratic lifestyle, the great writer didn’t just adopt peasant dress, but lived … Continue reading

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Finding release among the poppy fields: Dmitri Tcherniakov’s powerful Prince Igor reaches Amsterdam

Borodin: Prince Igor **** Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam, 7th February 2017 When faced with Disaster rather than Triumph, how does a true leader respond? The ability to “watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build … Continue reading

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Plums and turkeys: a musical voyage around 2016

Most people I know cannot wait to see the back of 2016. But in the year in which Brexit, Trump and the Grim Reaper were the big winners, I admit to having had a terrific twelve months. A whirl of … Continue reading

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On with the motley: Clowns, ruffs and a bullet with Ferrando’s name on it

Verdi: Il trovatore: DG*** BelAir*** To adopt sporting jargon, Il trovatore comes in for a ‘bit of stick’ in operatic circles. Its plot is frequently held up as an example of how ridiculous opera plots can be and it has … Continue reading

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