Monthly Archives: February 2012

Tales of Hoffman….Jaques Offenbach….London Coliseum 23rd February

Offenbach: Tales of Hoffman English National Opera Tales of Hoffman is neither quite comic opera nor quite black comedy set to music. It takes itself too seriously to be the former; it lacks suggestive darkness of the latter…Tales of Hoffman … Continue reading

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Berlioz “Les Nuits d’été ” Joyce Didonato, Barbican 17th February

Joyce Didonato and the New York Philharmonic Hector Berlioz song cycle sits easily in the heart of the Romantic Classical and has mastered all its artistic language. But Berlioz gives us something much greater…the melancholy of loss… the bitter-sweet of … Continue reading

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Der Rosenkavalier English National Opera, 11th February 2012

Der Rosenkavalier English National Opera Comedy for music in three acts by Hugo Hofmannstahl and Richard Strauss. Marschallin, Amanda Roocroft; Octavian, Sarah Connolly; Baron Ochs, John Tomlinson; Herr von Faninal, Andrew Shore; Sophie von Faninal,  Sophie  Bevan; Annina,  Madeleine Shaw;  … Continue reading

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She Stoops to Conquer – National Theatre 7th February 2012

Oliver Goldsmith:   She Stoops to Conquer My goodness, it takes me back…. I first came across Goldsmith in the second form of Presentation College, Reading. In those days part and parcel of English Literature was learning some poetry by … Continue reading

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A Dvorák : The Jacobin BBC Symphony Orchestra, Barbican Centre ( recorded live for Radio 3)

Dvorák: The Jacobin. An Opera in three Acts, BBC Symphony Orchestra., BBC Singers, Trinty Boys Choir and Old Palace Chamber Choir…… Soloists: Svatopl Sem – Bohus; Dana Burseova – Julie; Jozef Benci – Filip; Jaroslav Brzina – Brenda; Lucie Fiser … Continue reading

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