Cavalleria rusticana and I Pagliacci, Cav and Pag, Royal Opera, December 2023.
December 1, 2023Cav and Pag may be old warhorses, but when given gripping productions with excellent singers they are thoroughly compelling. Both these productions at the Royal Opera do the trick, and under the baton of Daniel Oren both operas packed a huge emotional punch. See my review in The Article.
Jephtha, Royal Opera, November 2023
November 11, 2023In this Biblical tale, Jephtha is recalled from exile to defend the Israelites against the Ammonites. He is promised the role of permanent chieftain if he succeeds, and in order to ensure victory promises God he will sacrifice the first thing he sees on his return, which turns out to be his own loving daughter. …
7 Deaths of Maria Callas, ENO, November 2023
November 7, 2023Maria Callas — La Divina — was a phenomenon who changed the very nature of operatic singing. Born Maria Anna Cecilia Sofia Kalogeropoulos to Greek émigré parents in New York her father changed their surname to Kalos (meaning beautiful), later to Callas. While still in her twenties she sang utterly different title roles from Ponchielli’s …
Anemoi, The Cellist, Royal Ballet, October 2023
October 26, 2023The current Royal Ballet double bill starts with a marvellous new creation called Anemoi, choreographed by one of the company’s senior dancers Valentino Zucchetti. Its title refers to the Greek wind gods and its choreography shows the effect the wind has on the world around it. The second ballet, The Cellist by Cathy Marston is …
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