Tag Archives: Verdi

Codes of honour trip up Bechtolf’s Ernani at La Scala

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: Ernani *** Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 29th September 2018 George Bernard Shaw admired the “fierce noonday sun” of the score to Ernani. “The one with the bandits” evens gets a glancing mention in his play, Arms and the Man. I’m not … Continue reading →

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Sir John in Love: the fat knight returns to Covent Garden

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: Falstaff **** Royal Opera, 10th July 2018 There was an end of term feel about this revival of Falstaff at the Royal Opera, with many singers returning to a favourite role and imparting a spirited sense of fun. Robert Carsen’s production, shunting … Continue reading →

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Revolutionary jungle fever: Verdi’s Alzira staged at the Buxton Festival

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: Alzira **** Buxton Festival, 7th July 2018 It’s not just Paddington Bear and Juan Diego Flórez who hail from darkest Peru. Alzira, Verdi’s eighth opera, is set amongst Incas and Spanish invaders in a plot very loosely based on Voltaire’s Alzire, ou … Continue reading →

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Twist of Fate: Hibla Gerzmava shines in botched Forza in Zurich

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: La forza del destino *** Zurich Opera, 2nd June 2018 Remember that bit at the end of La forza del destino, where the Marquis of Calatrava and Don Carlo welcome Leonora back into the bosom of their family? You don’t? … Continue reading →

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Viva Verdi! Patriotic fervour in Florence’s new La battaglia di Legnano

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: La battaglia di Legnano **** Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, 22nd May 2018 It wasn’t until 1859 that the rallying cry of “Viva Verdi!” (standing for “Viva Vittorio Emanuele Re D’Italia”) was taken up, but La battaglia di Legnano (1849) was very much … Continue reading →

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