Tag Archives: Janáček

Extreme sports: Gardner leads the BBCSO in a thrilling Central European expedition

Janáček, Smetana, Szymanowski etc; Gardner/BBCSO **** Barbican Hall, 7th January 2016 If Edward Gardner organised travel tours then, on the basis of this evening’s Central European expedition with the BBCSO, he’d probably specialise in Extreme Sports. Despite the burbling streams … Continue reading

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Bright singing, grim staging: the JPYA Summer Performance at Covent Garden

Jette Parker Young Artists’ Gala *** Royal Opera House, 17th July 2016 During the course of a season, the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists participate in many full productions, mainly in comprimario roles, developing their craft, gaining main stage experience, learning … Continue reading

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Circle of Life: Janáček’s Cunning Little Vixen returns to Glyndebourne

Janáček: The Cunning Little Vixen **** Glyndebourne Festival Opera, 12th June 2016 Seventy years before Elton John’s “The Circle of Life” graced The Lion King, Leoš Janáček celebrated nature’s cycle in The Cunning Little Vixen. His inspiration was drawn from … Continue reading

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Reflections on fallen men: Mark Padmore at Wigmore Hall

Schumann, Wigglesworth, Janáček: Mark Padmore *** Wigmore Hall, 12th May 2016 There isn’t an ideal English title translation for Verdi’s La traviata. Often given asThe Fallen Woman, it can be more accurately translated as “the woman who has gone astray”. Even … Continue reading

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Free spirit: releasing Janáček’s Vixen into Glyndebourne’s wilderness

The Cunning Little Vixen should be the perfect fit for Glyndebourne, with its idyllic countryside setting in the rolling Sussex hills. Yet it has only staged the opera twice: Jonathan Miller’s staging (in English) in 1975; and Melly Still‘s in 2012, … Continue reading

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