Tag Archives: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

A polished Rite from Thierry Fischer and the RPO

Thierry Fischer/ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Festival Hall, 10th March 2020 The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played Borodin at my first concert in London. That was nearly thirty years ago, when Vladimir Ashkenazy was chief conductor, the Royal Festival Hall its … Continue reading

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Puppet master: Dutoit conjures superb playing from the RPO in Petrushka

Respighi/Dvořák/Stravinsky: RPO/Dutoit **** Royal Festival Hall, 29th March 2016 Something quite remarkable happens to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra when Charles Dutoit stands before it. A band which can sound – and look – disengaged is suddenly transformed when its Principal Conductor galvanises … Continue reading

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Zukerman drives an unsteady Russian troika with the RPO

Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov: RPO/Zukerman *** Royal Festival Hall, 1st March 2016 A troika of Russian warhorses trotted out from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra stable, with Pinchas Zukerman guiding the reins. The trouble is, once into the paddock they veered off in … Continue reading

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Crushed: Exquisite Madam Butterfly suffers in the RAH

Puccini: Madam Butterfly *** Royal Albert Hall, 26th February 2015 Take an exquisite production of a Puccini tearjerker, cast it attractively… then crush its fragile wings under the weight of the Albert Hall’s vastness. Madama Butterfly is a perfect opera … Continue reading

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Digging up Verdi’s Aida at the Albert Hall

Verdi: Aida **** Royal Albert Hall, 3rd March 2012 (mat) An ‘arena opera’ virgin, I blithely made a prediction on my leisurely amble to the Royal Albert Hall for the latest Raymond Gubbay ‘spectacular’ featuring Verdi’s Aida: it would feature … Continue reading

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