Tag Archives: Rossini

Rossinian Bake-Off: a delicious double bill at Wexford

Synott: La cucina Rossini: Adina Wexford Festival Opera, 24th October 2019 As operatic incarcerations go, being confined to a giant wedding cake isn’t so bad. This is the fate of the heroine in Rossini’s Adina, or at least in Rosetta … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Laughter returns to Seville: a sparkling Barbiere revival at Glyndebourne

Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia Glyndebourne, 19th May 2019 “Ah, ah, dal ridere sto per crepar!” declares Figaro, chuckling at Doctor Bartolo frozen like a statue. “I am ready to burst with laughter.” Laughter was far from my mind when … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Camels and comic capers in Algiers: Cecilia Bartoli stars in a frothy Italiana at the Salzburg Festival

Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri ***** Salzburg Festival, 8th August 2018 A muezzin calls the faithful to prayer. Elvira fails to arouse Mustafà’s desires while an animated ballet about an amorous camel cavorts in the picture frame above their marital bed. … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taking flight from the Scala pit: Riccardo Chailly and the Filarmonica della Scala on tour

Filarmonia della Scala/ Chailly ***** Barbican, 24th January 2018 La Scala doesn’t quite roll out the red carpet for Riccardo Chailly, but they do ferry around a podium upholstered with red velvet carpet and matching handrail. If Chailly is maestro royalty, … Continue reading

Posted in Concert | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DiDonato leads the vocal pyrotechnics in a dazzling Semiramide at the Royal Opera

Rossini: Semiramide **** Royal Opera, 19th November 2017 Semiramide is a rare visitor to London. Opera Rara offered a splendid Prom in the Hanging Gardens of South Kensington last year, while the only time Rossini’s opera seria was presented in Covent Garden since … Continue reading

Posted in Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment