Opera wouldn’t be influential if it wasn’t for the role of the ‘diva’ (Italian for ‘goddess’) or ‘prima donna’. Its voices, the magnificent sopranos, tender contraltos, and mellifluous mezzo-sopranos are huge driving forces that foster…
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk: Royal Opera House (2018)
[fourstar] This week the Royal Opera House (ROH) ended its successful run of Verdi’s Macbeth. A terrified and guilt-stricken Lady M., performed by Anna Netrebko, left haunting memories behind including scenes of her sleepwalking and…
Macbeth: The Royal Opera House (2018)
A dramatic opera set in a dark place [fivestar] There is no joy in the world of the Macbeths: no sense of love for family or nation. Just a deep-seated desire for power and domination.…
Just in. The Laurence Olivier Awards’ Nominations (2018)
The news just came in. Alexandra Burke and Elaine Paige hosted this year's nominations this afternoon [March 6, 2018]. It was announced that Catherine Tate will host the 42nd annual awards on Sunday April 8 at…
Royal Opera House (ROH): Carmen (2018)
Carmen as you've never seen before [threestar] Apologises. This one is a long report because there was plenty to cover on Barrie Kosky's production. Enjoy! For those of you who are new to Bizet’s opera,…
Opera & Classical Music news (Jan 25 –…
I'm behind with last week's opera and classical music news update. It has been a crazy few weeks, and I managed to release the theatre news bulletins here. A lot has happened since, so stay…
Royal Opera House: Tosca (2018)
A first night with mixed reactions [fourstar] Back in 2013, the Canadian baritone Gerald Finley said in an interview, ‘if there is a Scarpia out there somewhere I'd be happy to do that.’ Come four…
‘Don’t trip and fall on your face.’ An…
‘Don’t trip. Don’t trip and fall on your face.’ Tonight (January 16th, 2018), the Royal Opera House shall broadcast director David McVicar’s revived production of Rigoletto live to cinemas across the UK and abroad, and…
Royal Opera House: Salome (2018)
Looking at Salome through a post-Weinstein veil [fourstar] Ten years ago I saw David McVicar’s production of Salome. Back then it was brand new not only to the Royal Opera House and also to me.…
Royal Opera House: Rigoletto (2017)
[fourstar] Last night was the big night - the premiere of David McVicar’s 2001 debaucherous production of Verdi’s devastating father-daughter opera. This night was dedicated to Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky who died last month battling…
Otello – At the Opera, then at the…
This post is divided into Part I and Part II. Part I - My thoughts on Keith Warner's production of Otello at the Covent Garden, 2017. Part 2 - My thoughts on seeing the opera…