Category Archives: Reviews

reviews of opera, shows, concerts and film….

Globe: Farinelli & the King
avatar

Carlo Broschi, called Farinelli (1705-82), is known as one of the most famous castrati. Obviously, there survives no recording of this unique voice save for the last castrato in the Western World died in 1922. He was Alessandro Moreschi and he recorded … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Provocative – Hilary and the Wolf –

The Tudors & Wolf Hall – or who’s afraid of Hilary Mantel’s wolf? Below a Rood Screen – in Brittany – these were also typical of northern European church interiors before the Reformation – before the art, the stained glass … Continue reading

Posted in History and related subjects, Reviews, TV and Radio and other media | Leave a comment

Glenn Richardson: The Field of Cloth of Gold
avatar

The Field of Cloth of Gold: I do not often these days get the chance to review books. This therefore makes a delightful exception. This book also makes a delightful read. Richardson’s  account not only updates Stephen Anglo’s scholarly and … Continue reading

Posted in History and related subjects, Reviews | Leave a comment

ENO at the Colloseum – Madam Butterfly
avatar

Madam Butterfly G. Pucinni Original Director, Anthony Minghella    Revival Director, Sarah Tipple   Conductor, Gianluca Marciano Italian conductor Gianluca Marciano makes his ENO debut conducting Dina Kuznetsova as Cio-Cio San and Timothy Richards B.F. Pinkerton. I had never seen this … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Royal Opera: Les Vêpres Siciliennes, 30th October 2013

Royal Opera: Les Vêpres Siciliennes Composer – Giuseppe Verdi Conductor – Antonio Pappano Director – Stefan Herheim Set designs – Philipp Fürhofer Lighting design – Anders Poll Costume designs – Gesine Völlm Choreography – Johan Kobborg Cast: Hélène – Lianna Haroutounian … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Covent Garden: Elektra, 9th October 2013

Royal Opera House 9th October 2013 Elektra  by Richard Strauss from a one act play by Hugo von Hofmannsthal Conducted by: Christopher willis Christine Goerke: Elektra Adrianne Pieczonka: Chrysothemis Iain Paterson: Oreste John Daszak: Agisth Michaela Schuster: Klytamnestra   There are … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I Have a Little list or Grade II Listing in London Borough of Lambeth

The colours that you find inside Comrade Chyorniy’s mind….   There is nothing more incomprehensible than the mind of a bureaucrat. This is not my judgement but rather a paraphrase of Tolstoy’s famous judgement. In some ways it is refreshing to … Continue reading

Posted in History and related subjects, Politics and related subjects, Reviews, TV and Radio and other media, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

West Side Story – a tale of two cities?
avatar

WEST SIDE STORY – Sadler’s Wells Based on a conception by Jerome Robbin Book by Arthur Laurents   Music by Leonard Bernstein   Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Entire original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

R. Strauss – Capriccio

Royal Opera House Covent Garden R. Strauss:  Capriccio, a concert performance The Countess: Renee Fleming   Strauss’s last opera is once more about the nature of his art. Is the poet greater than the composer; is the librettist greater than … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Most Serine: ENO’s Death in Venice
avatar

 Death in Venice Benjamin Britten (1970) This is in fact a revival of the most exquisite production which previously I had not seen. My first and until last month only Death in Venice was in Aldeburgh – I am guessing … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews | Leave a comment