Tag Archives: Verdi

Pappano and the LSO bring the Italians out of the opera pit

Pappano/ London Symphony Orchestra Barbican, 3rd March 2019 Verdi, Puccini and Ponchielli don’t exactly get out of the pit much, Italian composers famed almost exclusively for their operatic output. Sir Antonio Pappano doesn’t get out of the pit much either, … Continue reading

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Ermonela Jaho makes a haunting return to Covent Garden’s Traviata

Verdi: La traviata **** Royal Opera, 14th January 2019 One of the great jump-ins at Covent Garden happened almost eleven years ago to the day. Imagine the general disappointment, the wailing and gnashing of teeth when an indisposed Anna Netrebko … Continue reading

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La Divina resurrected: Callas on stage at the Coli

Callas in Concert – The Hologram Tour London Coliseum, 25th November 2018 Maria Callas performed 33 times on the stage of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden: Norma, Aida, Leonora (Trovatore), Violetta, Medea and, most famously, her legendary Tosca with … Continue reading

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McVicar’s Traviata is still darkly impressive

Verdi: La traviata *** Welsh National Opera, Southampton, 23rd November 2018 “I loathe Traviata!” declared David McVicar back in 2003, ahead of his stage production of Camille at the Lyric, Hammersmith. “I could never do such a coarse, clumsy reduction of this woman.” Perhaps this … Continue reading

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Political intrigues at the Royal Opera as Simon Boccanegra returns

Verdi: Simon Boccanegra **** Royal Opera, 15th November 2018 The air in London is rife with conspiracy, recrimination and infighting. But away from Westminster, political machinations and a baying mob are also at the heart of Simon Boccanegra, returning to the … Continue reading

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