Tag Archives: Dvořák

Heart’s desire: a gallery of new roles from Aleksandra Kurzak

Desire: Aleksandra Kurzak Morphing Chamber Orchestra, Vienna/ Frédéric Chaslin (Sony) The last operatic performance I saw before lockdown was La traviata at Covent Garden, the first time Aleksandra Kurzak sang Violetta in Richard Eyre’s celebrated London production. And, as it … Continue reading

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Västerås Sinfonietta unleashes nature and embraces joy at Kings Place

Crawford-Phillips/ Västerås Sinfonietta Kings Place, 19th February 2020 If laughter is the best medicine, then the power of music to uplift the spirits cannot be far behind, especially when the music-making is imbued with such unadulterated joy. I doubt I’ve … Continue reading

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Orozco-Estrada and the Vienna Philharmonic embrace Dvořák and Korngold

Prom 61: Orozco-Estrada/ Vienna Philharmonic Royal Albert Hall, 4th September 2019 After the emotional scenes the evening before, when the Proms bade a dewy-eyed farewell to nonagenarian Bernard Haitink, there was always going to be the danger of a sense … Continue reading

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Pride of Pärnu: Estonian Festival Orchestra revels in Nielsen

Paavo Järvi/ Estonian Festival Orchestra Pärnu Festival, 18th July 2019 With its long stretch of white beach and dotted about with spa hotels, Pärnu is truly Estonia’s summer capital. Families have holidayed here for years, including Estonia’s great musical dynasty, … Continue reading

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Bohemian Rhapsody: Haitink rocks 90 with the LSO

Haitink/ London Symphony Orchestra Barbican, 14th March 2019 When it’s a significant birthday, why limit the celebrations to just one day? Or even one city? Bernard Haitink’s 90th birthday bash with the London Symphony Orchestra continued from Sunday’s Austrian pairing … Continue reading

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