Tag Archives: Rossini

A soufflé that fails to rise: Rossini’s Barber falls flat at Covent Garden

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia ** Royal Opera, 13th September 2016 As a renowned gastronome, Gioachino Rossini could have shown Mary Berry a thing or two in the Great British Bake-Off tent. He had several dishes named in his honour, … Continue reading →

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A feast of Rossini as Albina Shagimuratova dazzles in Semiramide

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Rossini: Semiramide **** Opera Rara, Royal Albert Hall, 4th September 2016 Complete performances of Semiramide are as rare as hen’s teeth. Even at La Fenice – where the opera was given 28 times following its 1823 première, sometimes four nights in … Continue reading →

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Nuns on the run: laughs aplenty in Chelsea Opera’s Le Comte Ory

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Rossini: Le Comte Ory *** Chelsea Opera Group, 25th June 2016 Whether fortuitous or sly programming, all three operas performed by Chelsea Opera Group this season have featured nuns: Isabella, propositioned in Wagner’s early comedy Das Liebesverbot; Leonora, about to … Continue reading →

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Forced farce: Arden’s Barber opens up shop at Glyndebourne

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia *** Glyndebourne Festival, 22nd May 2016 Comedy’s a funny old thing. Rossini and Wagner certainly had rather different approaches to it. The previous night, Glyndebourne Festival opened with Die Meistersinger, a lengthy comedy on a poignant … Continue reading →

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Still reigning: Leo Nucci’s masterly Rosenblatt Recital

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Rosenblatt Recital: Leo Nucci **** Cadogan Hall, 13th October 2015 Received wisdom says “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings”. In the case of a Leo Nucci recital, it ain’t over till the Italian baritone’s sung “Cortigiani, vil razza dannata”. Nucci … Continue reading →

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