Tag Archives: Kristina Mkhitaryan

In Vienna, a Turandot without the clichés

Puccini: Turandot Wiener Staatsoper, 7th December 2023 Who is Turandot? An ice princess from Chinese fairytale? Forget that in Claus Guth’s outstanding new staging for the Wiener Staatsoper. Never one to deal in kitsch or cliché, Guth has no place … Continue reading

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Jolly hockey sticks! Orliński rules as Rinaldo at Glyndebourne

Handel: Rinaldo Glyndebourne, 8th August 2019 Rotten Romans, the first film inspired by Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories books which have brought the past alive for decades of schoolchildren, opened in cinemas a fortnight ago. If they ever decide to tackle … Continue reading

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Byron writes himself the lead role in Verdi’s Il corsaro in Valencia

Verdi: Il corsaro *** Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia, Valencia, 28th March 2018 By the time it premiered in Trieste in 1848, Giuseppe Verdi had rather fallen out of love with Il corsaro, his piratical opera based on Byron’s poem. Indeed, he … Continue reading

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A rebellious Carmen: Kosky’s vaudeville flawed but entertaining

Carmen Royal Opera House, 6th & 8th March 2018 If Carmen contends that love is a rebellious bird, then Barrie Kosky is a rebellious director. He can take rarities such as Saul or The Nose and give it the full … Continue reading

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