Tag Archives: Donizetti

Don Pasquale falls flat in Michieletto’s cruel comedy at Covent Garden

Donizetti: Don Pasquale Royal Opera, 14th October 2019 When newlywed “Sofronia” slaps Don Pasquale and it provokes titters of laughter, you’ve got a problem. It’s the point in Act 3 where the lesson that the elderly bachelor is being taught … Continue reading

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From Auber to Halévy: El-Khoury and Spyres celebrate a pair of French stars in style

Opera Rara: Joyce El-Khoury & Michael Spyres **** Cadogan Hall, 14th July 2017 Opera Rara celebrated Bastille Day with a tribute to two great French singers, Julie Dorus-Gras and Gilbert Duprez. Dorus-Gras was a leading soprano in Paris in the … Continue reading

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Giant haystacks: Pelly’s sunny L’elisir d’amore romps back to Covent Garden

Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore **** The Royal Opera, 27th May 2017 This was meant to be Pretty Yende’s night. The South African soprano, praised for her bel canto feats at houses like The Met and Paris, was making her much-anticipated Royal … Continue reading

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Crouching pianist, hidden baritone: superb Simone Piazzola caught in Liszt ambush

Rosenblatt Recital: Simone Piazzola *** Wigmore Hall, 1st November 2016 Time honoured tradition has it that the pianist in a song recital plays the supporting role, hence the slightly derogatory term “accompanist”. Someone forgot to share that script with Giuseppe … Continue reading

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Return to the crime scene: fresh blood improves Royal Opera’s Lucia di Lammermoor

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor **** Royal Opera, 11th May 2016 Double casts are a mixed blessing. When they play side by side, there’s a temptation to indulge in ‘fantasy casting’, mixing and matching your ideal team from those available. But … Continue reading

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