georgehall
Rodelinda review – top-notch cast embrace dark vision of Handel
The first revival of Richard Jones’s fascist-Italy-set production enjoys a strong cast, with Rebecca Evans outstanding in the title role.
George Hall
27, Oct, 2017 @12:45 PM
Proms 2017 Oklahoma! review – all-dancing all-singing cowboys, a preposterous peddler and a convincing baddie
The John Wilson Orchestra on their annual Proms visit did not disappoint with an impeccable performance of every last quaver of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical
George Hall
14, Aug, 2017 @12:48 PM
Albert Herring review – gentle humour, period detail and a terrifying Lady Billows
John Copley’s expertly crafted production extracts every ounce of humour from Britten’s cosy comedy; in the pit, Steuart Bedford brings precision and sensibility
George Hall
26, Jun, 2017 @3:00 PM
The Day After review – devastation, dead cats and godlike grandeur
English National Opera’s rehearsal space becomes a post-apocalyptic crater in an imaginative and strongly sung production of Jonathan Dove’s chamber opera
George Hall
29, May, 2017 @1:09 PM
St John Passion review – Britten Sinfonia deliver no sermons, but plenty of feeling
Mark Padmore resurrected the role of Evangelist in an experimental staging of Bach’s choral masterpiece that included compelling readings by Simon Russell Beale
George Hall
16, Apr, 2017 @1:24 PM
NYO/Prieto review – five-star fiesta of energy and talent
The National Youth Orchestra was a formidable unit under Carlos Miguel Prieto’s measured beat, while cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason held the audience spellbound
George Hall
11, Apr, 2017 @12:43 PM
Les Fêtes d'Hébé review – Rameau wanted to charm and delight, and this succeeds
The Royal College of Music’s European collaboration brings clean-edged chic and character to the French composer’s opéra-ballet spectacle
George Hall
09, Apr, 2017 @12:15 PM
New York Philharmonic/Gilbert review – a measured approach to heavenly visions
Departing musical director Alan Gilbert led the New York Philharmonic through the icy waters of Bartók to the luminous afterlife in Mahler’s Fourth
George Hall
02, Apr, 2017 @1:20 PM
Patience review – Gilbert and Sullivan's satire still stings in ETO’s expertly comic production
There’s a strong set of principal performances in a fine show, with Bradley Travis an effusive joy and Ross Ramgobin hinting at star potential
George Hall
09, Mar, 2017 @3:15 PM
Tosca review – ETO's uneven new staging comes alive in the pit
Puccini’s political thriller needs greater visual impact but the vocal performances are strong and English Touring Opera’s orchestra, under Michael Rosewell, is alert to the melodrama
George Hall
06, Mar, 2017 @3:57 PM
The Pirates of Penzance review – precise patter aplenty in Mike Leigh revival
ENO’s surefooted return for Leigh’s 2015 Gilbert and Sullivan production has a cast richly decked with boastful pirates and a proto-Wagnerian police chief
George Hall
12, Feb, 2017 @10:59 AM
LSO/Rattle review – eloquently expressive Turnage and mighty Mahler
Under Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra, Mark-Anthony Turnage’s reflective Remembering was in no way discountenanced by being followed by Mahler’s mighty sixth symphony
George Hall
23, Jan, 2017 @3:13 PM
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