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FRIDAY  OCTOBER 10th  - LATEST NEWS, OPERA  AND CONCERT REVIEWS FROM:


   

NEXT UPDATE: TUESDAY OCTOBER 14th

SEEN AND HEARD NEWS

Aldeburgh On Tour at King’s Place: London, Monday 3rd to Friday 7th November 2008 (BK)

BBC NOW's New  Home: The orchestra moves to  Hoddinott Hall (BK)

SEEN AND HEARD INTERVIEW

An Interview with Howard Blake:  The composer of Walking In the Air turns 70 this month. Bob Briggs discovers more about an extraordinary musician. (BBr)

SEEN AND HEARD SEASON PREVIEW

Opera North: A Preview of the 2008-2009 Season (RJF)

LATEST INTERNATIONAL OPERA  REVIEWS

Parma Verdi Festival, Giovanna d’Arco: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus Teatro Regio di Parma. Conductor. Bruno Bartoletti. Festival Verdi. Teatro Regio di Parma. 7.10.2008 (JMI)

Parma Verdi Festival 2008,  Rigoletto:  Orchestra and Chorus Teatro Regio di Parma. Conductor: Massimo Zanetti., Festival Verdi. Teatro Regio di Parma. 6.10.2008. (JMI)

Verdi, La traviata:  Portland Opera, soloists, cond. Stephen Lord, original production by James Robinson, stage direction by Jennifer Nicoll, sets and costumes by Bruno Schwengl, lighting designer Mimi Jordan Sherin, choreographer Sean Curran, Keller Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, 4.10.2008 (BJ)

LATEST UK AND INTERNATIONAL  CONCERT REVIEWS

Tchaikovsky, Elgar: Dmitri Alexeev (piano), St.Petersburg Philharmonic/ Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor)St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, 9.10.2008 (GPu)

Mahler, Symphony No 3 in D Minor: Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer (conductor) Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 7.10.2008 (GR)

Swansea Festival 2008 (2) :  Mozart, Hoddinott, Janácek, Beethoven,  Endellion Quartet; Andrew Watkinson, Ralph de Souza (violin), Garfield Jackson (viola), David Waterman (cello), Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 7.10.2008 (GPu)

UK AND  INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS: 5th OCTOBER - 4th SEPTEMBER 2008

Haydn, Chopin, and Debussy: Marc-André Hamelin (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 5.10.2008 (MB)

Verdi, Il Corsaro: Orchestra and Chorus Teatro Regio di Parma. Conductor: Carlo Montanaro Verdi Festival. Teatro Verdi di Busseto. 5.10.2008. (JMI)

Swansea Festival 2008: Mozart, Karl Jenkins, Vaughan Williams, Elgar; John Alley (piano), Gareth Davies (flute), Andrew Haverson (violin), Neil Percy (percussion), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davies (conductor), Karl Jenkins (conductor in Quirk), Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 4.10.2008 (GPu)

Rachmaninov, Stravinsky: Nelson Goerner (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Thierry Fischer (conductor), St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, 3.10.2008 (GPu)

Wagner, Brahms and Sibelius: Boris Berezovsky (piano) Philharmonia Orcherstra Leif Segerstam (conductor) Royal Festival Hall 2.10.2008 (GD)

Britten, Phaedra and  Purcell, Dido and Aeneas. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine. Choir Opera Bordeaux. Conductor: Jaap ter Linden. Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux. 3.10.2008. (JMI)

Korngold, Die Tote Stadt: Soloists and chorus of San Francisco Opera, Donald Runnicles, conductor. War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 2.10.2008 (HS)

Verdi, Macbeth:  Bavarian State Opera: Soloists, Bavarian State Opera Orchestra, Nicola Luisotti (conductor) Nationaltheater, Munich  2.10.2008 (JFL)

Shostakovich, Wolf and Brahms: Matthias Goerne (baritone) Alexander Schmalcz (piano) Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 2.10.2008  (ME)

Sondheim: Merrily We Roll Along: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Stuart Pedler (musical director), Chelsea Theatre, World’s End, London, 2.10.2008 (BBr)

Schoenberg Verklärte Nacht and Mahler’s Das Lied von Erde: Christianne Stotijn (mezzo soprano), Robert Dean Smith (tenor), Budapest Festival Orchestra; Iván Fischer (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London 1.10.2008 (JPr)

Mozart: Stephanie Gonley (violin/director), Lawrence Power (viola), Igor Levit (piano), English Chamber Orchestra, Cadogan Hall, London, 1.10.2008 (BBr)

Britten and Shostakovitch: The Carducci Quartet and Nicola Eimer, Pittville Pump Room Cheltenham, 1.10.2008 (RJ)

Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Soloists, Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus master: Eberhard Friedrich), Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 1.10.2008 (MB)

Verdi ,  Un Ballo in Maschera : Orquesta y Coro del Teatro Real. Conductor: Jesús López Cobos.Teatro Real de Madrid. 28 and 30. 9.2008. (JMI)

Poulenc, La voix humaine, and Schoenberg, Pierrot lunaire: Angelas Blancas and Young-Hee Kim (sopranos), Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Josep Vicent and Johannes Harneit (conductors). Leipzig Opera House, 28.9.2008 (MB)

"Women Who Rock": American Modern Ensemble, TheTimes Center, New York City, 29.9.2008 (BH)

Beethoven, Berlioz: Hélène Grimaud (piano); Philharmonia Orchestra/Esa-Pekka Salonen. Royal Festival Hall, London, 28.9.2008 (CC)

Schubert, Korngold, Weill: Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo-soprano)  Julius Drake (piano)  Wigmore Hall, 28. 9.2008 (ME)

Beethoven and Walton: Mitsuko Uchida (piano), Peter Coleman–Wright (baritone), London Symphony Chorus (chorus director: Joseph Cullen), London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, Barbican Hall, London, 28.9.2008 (BBr)

Richard Strauss, Karl Amadeus Hartmann and Brahms: Matthias Goerne (baritone), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski, Royal Festival Hall, London, 27.9.2008 (BBr)

Ravel, Ma mere l’Oye and L’enfant et les sortilèges: Soloists, Berlin Radio Choir, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 27.9.2008 (MB)

Massenet, Manon: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of  Lyric Opera of Chicago,  Emmanuel Villaume (conductor) Lyric Opera Center, Chicago 27.9.2008 (JLZ)

'The Art of the Baroque Concerto': Soloists, Devon Baroque, Artistic Director Margaret Faultless, St George’s Church, Tiverton, Devon 28.9.2008 (AB)

Rossini, The Barber of Seville: (Revival Premiere) Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones conductor, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 26.9.2008 (GPu)

Mascagni/Leoncavallo, Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci: New productions by Richard Jones and designed by Ultz. Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera. Conductor: Edward Gardner. The London Coliseum, London. 26.9.2008 (JPr)

Knussen and Beethoven: Erin Wall (soprano), Kendall Gladen (mezzo-soprano), Garrett Sorenson (tenor), Alastair Miles (bass), New York Choral Artists (chorus director: Joseph Flummerfelt), Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor), San Francisco Symphony, Carnegie Hall, 26.9.2008 (BH)

Ligeti, Poulenc and Prokofiev: Katia and Marielle Labèque (pianos), Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor), San Francisco Symphony, Carnegie Hall, 25.9.2008 (BH)

William Michael Balfe  ‘Falstaff’ (1838) : Opera Ireland, Soloists, National Chamber Choir of Ireland, RTÉ  Concert Orchestra/Marco Zambelli, Opera in 3 acts, sung in Italian, 25.9.2008 (RJW)

Mahler: Gerard Schwarz, cond., Lauren Flanigan, Jane Eaglen, and Jane Giering-De Haan, sopranos, Nancy Maultsby and Jane Gilbert, altos, Vinson Cole, tenor, Clayton Brainerd, bass-baritone, Harold Wilson, bass, Northwest Boychoir, Seattle Pro Musica, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, 25.9.2008 (BJ)

Francesco Cavalli, La Calisto: Soloists, the Monteverdi Continuo Ensemble, members of the Orchestra of the age of Enlightenment, cond. Ivor Bolton. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 25.9.2008 (ME)

Opening Night of Carnegie Hall's 118th Season: Dawn Upshaw (soprano), Christine Ebersole (vocalist), Thomas Hampson (baritone), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Drama and Vocal Arts Students from the Juilliard School, Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor), San Francisco Symphony, Carnegie Hall, 24.9.2008 (BH)

Handel, Israel in Egypt: Soloists, The London Chorus, New London Orchestra, Ronald Corp (conductor). Cadogan Hall, London, 24.9.2008 (MB)

Mozart, Elgar and Vaughan Williams: Sarah Connolly (mezzo soprano), London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis, Barbican Hall, London, 24.9.2008 (BBr)

Bartók, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky: Vadim Repin (violin), Soloists, Philharmonia Voices, Philharmonia Orchestra,  Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 23.9.2008 (MB)

Rimsky-Korsakov, Richard Strauss, Tchaikovsky: Joan Rodgers (soprano), London Schools Symphony Orchestra, Peter Ash, Barbican Hall, London, 23.9.2008 (BBr)

Mozart, Holliger, Schulhoff, Mussorgsky: Louis Schwizgebel–Wang (piano), Wigmore Hall, London, 22.9.2008 (BBr)

Rossini, The Barber of Seville: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera. Conductor: Rory Macdonald. The London Coliseum, London. 22.9.2008 (JPr)

Poulenc,  Dialogues des Carmelites: Soloists, Orquesta Sinfonica del Principado de Asturias. Coro de Ópera de Oviedo. Coro Intermezzo. Conductor. Maximiano Valdés. Teatro Campoamor de Oviedo. 22.9.2008. (JMI)

Tchaikowsky, Yevgeny Onegin: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus Sinfónica de Galicia Conductor: Miguel Gómez Martínez, Palacio de la Ópera de Corunna. 21. 9.2008. (JMI)

Verdi, Il Trovatore: Soloists, Orquesta Sinfónica de Euskadi. Coro de Ópera de Bilbao. Conductor: Fabrizio Maria Carminati. Palacio Euskalduna de Bilbao. 20. 9.2008. (JMI)

Bartók Day – The six string quartets: Belcea Quartet. Wigmore Hall, London, 20.9.2008 (MB)

Stravinsky, Ibert, Mendelsohn and Beethoven: Emmanuel Pahud (flute), BBC National Orchestra of Wales /Thierry Fischer, Cheltenham Town Hall, 20.9.2008 (RJ)

Verdi, Otello: (Premiere) Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Carlo Rizzi conductor, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 19.9.2008 (GPu)

Rossini, Lalo and Tchaikovsky: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Charles Dutoit (guest conductor) Symphony Center, Chicago 19.9.2008 (JLZ)

Libby Larsen, Joan Tower, Ravel: Cassatt Quartet, Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, 18.9.2008 (BH)

Puccini, La bohème : at Värmlandsoperan, Karlstad, Sweden, 18.9.2008 (GF)

Brahms and Bartók: Cédric Tiberghien (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 18.9.2008 (MB)

Berlioz, Ibert and Tchaikovsky: Opening Night of the New York Philharmonic: Sir James Galway (flute), Lorin Maazel (conductor), New York Philharmonic, Avery Fisher Hall, New York, 17.9.2008 (BH)

Offenbach, The Tales of Hoffmann : Mid Wales Opera, Roses Theatre Tewkesbury, 17.9.2008 and touring England and Wales until November 9th (RJ)

 Puccini, La fanciulla del West: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Conductor: Antonio Pappano. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. 16.9.2008 (JPr)

Berlioz, Boito, Heggie, Ambroise Thomas, Offenbach, Copland, Rodgers, and Gershwin:  Gerard Schwarz, cond., Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano, Samuel Ramey, bass, Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, 13.9.2008 (BJ)

Prom 76, The Last Night of the Proms 2008: Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone), Hélène Grimaud (piano), various artists, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra; Sir Roger Norrington (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 13.9.2008 (JPr)

Stewart Wallace, The Bonesetter's Daughter: Libretto by Amy Tan after her novel. Soloists, orchestra of San Francisco Opera, Steven Sloane, conductor, War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. 13.9.2008 (HS)

Saint-Saëns, Samson et Dalila at the Royal Stockholm Opera: (Premiere) Soloists,  The Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra / Gregor Bühl 13.9.2008  (GF)

Mozart, Don Giovanni: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House. Conductor: Sir Charles Mackerras. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 12.2.2008 (MB)

Prom 75, Wagner, Penderecki and Beethoven: Emma Bell (soprano), Jane Irwin (mezzo), Timothy Robinson (tenor), Iain Paterson (bass-baritone). BBC Philharmonic; City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Gianandrea Noseda (conductor) Royal Albert Hall London 12.9.2008 (MMB)

Prom  74, Pintscher and Mahler: Marisol Montalvo (soprano), Orchestre de Paris, Christoph Eschenbach   (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London,  11. 9.2008 (AO)

‘In sweet music is such art’,Vaughan Williams and Friends: Joan Rodgers (soprano), Christopher Maltman (baritone), Jack Liebeck (violin), Julius Drake (piano), Wigmore  Hall, London, 11.9.2008 (BBr)

Prom 73, Vaughan Williams, Xenakis and Holst: Elizabeth Watts (soprano), 4-Mality, O Duo, women’s voices of the Holst Singers (chorus master: Stephen Farr), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins, Royal Albert Hall, London, 10.9.2008 (BBr)

Prom 72, Mozart and Shostakovich:  Murray Perahia (piano); Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Bernard Haitink. Royal Albert Hall, 9.9.2008 (CC)

David T. Little: Soldier Songs: David Adam Moore (The Soldier), Brandon Rakowski (The Boy), Todd Reynolds (Conductor), Newspeak Ensemble.  Le Poisson Rouge, New York City, 7.9.2008 (BH)

Handel, Semele: Joint Production by Operamus and the Birmingham Conservatoire, Soloists,  Chorus and Baroque Orchestra / Daniele Rosina (conductor) Birmingham Conservatoire 7.9.2008 (GR)

Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande: Soloists,  Orchestra, Conductor: Mark Wigglesworth, Muntschouwburg. (La Monnaie) Brussels 6.9.2008 (PK)

Prom 71, Turnage and Mahler: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 8.9.2008 (MB)

A Festive Close for the Olympic Music Season: Bernard Jacobson reviews the final concert, 7.9.2008 (BJ

Prom 70, Messiaen Saint François d’Assise : Soloists, Chorus of the Netherlands Opera, The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra/Ingo Metzmacher. Royal Albert Hall, 7.9. 2008 (CC)

Howard Shore, The Fly:  Soloists, chorus and orchestra of Los Angeles Opera, Placido Domingo, conductor; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles. 7.9.2008 (HS)

Handel’s Fire and Water: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul Dyer Artistic Director and guest director Alfredo Bernardini (baroque oboe). City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney, 6. 9.2008 (ZT)

Prom 67, Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time: Martin Fröst (clarinet), Anthony Marwood (violin), Matthew Barley (cello), Thomas Larcher (piano) BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London. 4.9.2008 (CR)

EARLIER REVIEWS AND ARTICLES ARE IN THE SUBJECT INDEX PAGES
 

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