Salome, by Oscar Wilde, Richmond Theatre, May 2010
Posted on 30 May 2010Everything is played at top intensity, but I would have preferred the introspective moments to be taken more calmly.
Monthly Archives: May 2010
Royal Ballet Triple: Chroma, Tryst, Symphony in C, Covent Garden, May 2010
Posted on 22 May 2010…putting on this triple bill is quite a feat. Three different conductors, dozens of dancers, many with difficult roles — the Royal Ballet surpasses itself, and the auditorium should really be full to bursting.
Billy Budd, Glyndebourne, May 2010
Posted on 21 May 2010The music — and this is wonderfully powerful music by Britten — was brilliantly played by the London Philharmonic under the baton of Mark Elder.
Tosca, English National Opera, ENO, London Coliseum, May 2010
Posted on 19 May 2010this production by Catherine Malfitano is, if I can put it this way, a singers’ production. It’s produced by a singer who fully understands the nuances of the characters and their interactions, and it allows the performers to give their best, which they certainly do.
La Fille du Régiment, Royal Opera, Covent Garden, May 2010
Posted on 18 May 2010Then to top it all there was the beautiful musical direction of Bruno Campanella. His conducting had a rhythmic energy that received a spontaneous round of applause immediately after the overture
Henry VIII, Globe Theatre, London, May 2010
Posted on 17 May 2010The principal role is for Cardinal Wolsey, who has some memorable lines, particularly during his final speech, “Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my King, He would not in mine age have left me naked to mine enemies”.
The White Guard, National Theatre, Lyttelton, May 2010
Posted on 16 May 2010Stalin loved this play by Mikhail Bulgakov about the aftermath of the revolution in 1917. It’s set in Bulgakov’s home town of Kiev … He’d served as a doctor during the second half of the First World War, and writing later about the years between 1917 and 1920 he said
La Traviata, Royal Opera, Covent Garden, May 2010
Posted on 11 May 2010Mr. Hvorostovsky sang gloriously … it’s worth going to this brief run of five performances just to hear him. Both Ms. Jaho and Mr. Pirgu sang strongly after a rather nervous start …
Royal Ballet Triple: Electric Counterpoint, Asphodel Meadows, Carmen, Covent Garden, May 2010
Posted on 5 May 2010Asphodel Meadows is a very interesting new ballet by Liam Scarlett, to Poulenc’s Concerto in D minor for two pianos and orchestra.
Armida, Metropolitan Opera live relay, April 2010
Posted on 2 May 2010Renée Fleming … performs here with consummate skill and brilliant characterisation, very ably supported by Lawrence Brownlee as Rinaldo.