Opera

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The Marriage of Figaro review – Mozart as hotel farce is sparky but scrappy
Joe Hill-Gibbins’ stylish 2020 staging finally gets a full run, with Nardus Williams in glorious voice as the Countess matched by a strong cast

Erica Jeal

06, Feb, 2025 @1:18 PM

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The Rest is History co-host writing Margaret Thatcher opera
Dominic Sandbrook working with composer Joseph Phibbs on project that will explore Thatcher’s time as PM

Lanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondent

04, Feb, 2025 @4:49 PM

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The Flying Dutchman review – Opera North production draws small boats into Wagner’s tale
Annabel Arden’s introduction of refugees is thought-provoking and moving, while seasoned performances keep the metaphorical ships on course

Sarah Noble

02, Feb, 2025 @12:37 PM

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The week in classical: Aida; Chineke!; Paddington Trio – review
The Royal Opera Chorus steals the show in a revival of Robert Carsen’s solemn take on Verdi; Chineke! celebrate 10 years of change-making. Plus, a great young string trio who live every note

Fiona Maddocks

01, Feb, 2025 @1:00 PM

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Aida review – parades and totalitarianism rather than pyramids and triumphal marches
Royal Opera House, London
Robert Carsen’s abstract 2022 production of Verdi’s controversial opera has no trace of its Egyptian setting which brings a schism between staging and score

Flora Willson

29, Jan, 2025 @12:57 PM

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‘It’s really a very dark comedy’: Festen, the explosive opera based on the dinner-party-from-hell film
The Danish film about racism, child abuse and self-harm caused jaws to drop in the 90s. Can it work as opera? Absolutely, say lyricist Lee Hall and composer Mark-Anthony Turnage

Flora Willson

27, Jan, 2025 @4:47 PM

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Claire van Kampen: a world-class theatre composer and bright star of Shakespeare’s Globe
The pianist, director and playwright of Farinelli and the King, which starred her husband Mark Rylance, is remembered by the Globe’s former artistic director

Dominic Dromgoole

20, Jan, 2025 @2:57 PM

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The week in classical: LSO/ Rattle; CBSO/ Volkov; Jenůfa – review
Simon Rattle celebrates his big birthday with two striking world premieres; the sea meets surrealism in Satie’s centenary year. Plus, intense Janáček and a rousing Covent Garden welcome

Fiona Maddocks

18, Jan, 2025 @1:00 PM

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Jenůfa review – this opera is in Hrůša’s DNA, his account is not to be missed
The Royal Opera’s incoming music director conducts a performance of rare intensity and authority, with Corrine Winters and Karita Mattila compelling in the two central roles

Martin Kettle

16, Jan, 2025 @1:31 PM

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‘Our thighs are aquiver!’ Inside the Siegfried and Roy opera with magic, tiger puppets and ‘hysterical sex’
Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera tells the incredible story of the tiger-loving partners, from traumatic childhoods to their shocking career-ending show

Elissa Blake

05, Jan, 2025 @2:00 PM

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From Edvard Munch to Central Cee: Observer critics choose their cultural highlights for 2025
From Thom Yorke’s Shakespearean score to 25 years of Tate Modern, Bridget Jones to Leigh Bowery, our writers anticipate the most exciting shows, releases and events of the year

04, Jan, 2025 @1:00 PM

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Australia on stage: the best theatre, musicals, dance and opera of 2024
Guardian Australia critics pick out the best live stage experiences of the year

Cassie Tongue, Alison Croggon, Tim Byrne, Jason Blake, Michael Sun, Walter Marsh, Dee Jefferson, Jane Howard, Steve Dow, Rosamund Brennan, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen and Steph Harmon

26, Dec, 2024 @2:00 PM

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