timashley
LPO/Jurowski review – a fervent treatment of two works rich in intensity
Haydn’s Mass in Time of War met John Adams’s elegy for victims of 9/11 in this dramatic concert, superbly controlled by Vladimir Jurowski
Tim Ashley
19, Jan, 2025 @2:19 PM
Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists/Rousset review – joyous and immaculate festive programme
Under the baton of Christophe Rousset, the Monteverdis sounded exquisite in a celebration of Advent that balanced reflection with exultation
Tim Ashley
18, Dec, 2024 @1:50 PM
LSO/Volkov review – Lachenmann’s My Melodies offers eerie mutterings, brutal force and unpitched sounds
The work is immensely taxing for orchestra and audience alike but was performed with precision and virtuosity, while, in the second half, a lean and lithe Beethoven’s Seventh made for a gracious companion piece
Tim Ashley
29, Nov, 2024 @1:25 PM
Morley/Montague Rendall/Martineau review – Wolf’s Liederbuch sounds exquisite
The singers were on wonderfully expressive form for this performance of Hugo Wolf’s song cycle – one of music’s great disquisitions on the nature of love
Tim Ashley
20, Nov, 2024 @2:52 PM
The Elixir of Love review – Donizetti’s romcom staged as second world war sitcom is hugely enjoyable
Set among land girls and flying aces Harry Fehr’s new staging is a lot of fun, with Thomas Atkins making a fine ENO debut and Rhian Lois a terrific lady of the manor
Tim Ashley
17, Nov, 2024 @12:43 PM
Philharmonia/Alsop review – contrasting voices of the complex Mahlers side by side
Symphonic Gustav and orchestrated songs by Alma Mahler – sung with exquisite poise by Sasha Cooke – combined in a programme conducted with warmth and care by Marin Alsop
Tim Ashley
25, Oct, 2024 @11:59 AM
La Traviata review – perfectly pitched staging with Verzier and Federici breathtaking
Tom Cairns’s naturalistic production of Verdi’s tragedy is revived for the autumn season with Elisa Verzier’s Violetta and Christian Federici’s Germont standouts
Tim Ashley
11, Oct, 2024 @1:22 PM
Suor Angelica review – Puccini’s maternal tragedy gets a haunting modern update
A Magdalene laundry in 1960s Ireland is the setting for ENO’s semi-staged production, which conveys quiet anger and deep sadness
Tim Ashley
29, Sep, 2024 @10:08 AM
LSO/Pappano review – new era begins with ghosts and great beauty
Chief conductor’s kicks off his first season with the London Symphony Orchestra with energy and thrilling drama in beguiling Sibelius and a new work from James MacMillan
Tim Ashley
12, Sep, 2024 @12:31 PM
The Marriage of Figaro review – revival sparkles with young cast
David McVicar’s detailed staging of Mozart’s comedy opens Covent Garden’s new season, with conductor Julia Jones bringing energy and drive and Ying Fang, making her house debut, as an exquisite Susanna
Tim Ashley
03, Sep, 2024 @10:41 AM
Prom 44 Rotterdam Philharmonic/Shani review – a tour de force of conducting and pianism
Lahav Shani played and conducted Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with a devil-may-care brilliance while his finesse with the baton brought out the detailed beauty of the orchestra’s playing in works by Debussy and Ravel
Tim Ashley
25, Aug, 2024 @11:03 AM
Prom 24: The Fairy Queen review – street-dance, hip-hop style suits Purcell surprisingly well
Choreographer-director Mourad Merzouki cleverly brings singers and dancers together as an indivisible unit in this mesmerising staging
Tim Ashley
07, Aug, 2024 @10:59 AM
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