Elza van den Heever and the MET Orchestra: A stunning all-Strauss program
Reviews
Don't miss: The Chocolate Soldier
ReviewIf the central love story doesn't entice you, go for the brilliant performances in the supporting cast. Mezzo-soprano Eugenia Dermentzis is a scene-stealer as Aurelia, her face an exaggerated picture of uppity, bewildered, and scheming; even with her polished mezzo, her presence onstage is something delightfully out of a Pixar film. Plus, The Chocolate Soldier is a beautiful chance to catch Schmopera's own Gregory Finney onstage as the patriarch Popoff.
Lovely lunches: the COC Ensemble Studio in recital
ReviewEberwein and Kwon gave us the eight songs of Schumann's cycle Frauenliebe und -leben, Op. 42, a set which often seems like a feminine response to his Dichterliebe. Eberwein seemed to waver between delivering something personal, and embodying an every-woman of sorts, shining light upon what's universal about the woman in the poems by Adelbert von Chamisso.
In review: The Exterminating Angel at ROH
ReviewThe guests arrive on stage, dressed in retro evening wear that reminded us of Jonathan Lynn’s Clue. We are prepared for a drawing room comedy to start, but are immediately informed that something is not right by the servants' departure from the grand mansion. We also know something's up when, in a genius expository tool, the guests arrive together a second time: they repeat the formal introductions from character to character, as if they are all trapped in a loop.
Album review: Nights Not Spent Alone
ReviewFor two English artists performing music by an English composer, Whately and Lepper seem to create something almost North American in style; those sounds are in Dove's scores, but the two performers keep an immediacy that feels like an American revue show or even a cabaret. Whately is polished and real, and Lepper is flexible and soloistic.
In review: Rowan Pierce & the London Handel Players
ReviewThe London Handel Players gave us a fresh program of Telemann and Handel, showing us the very long lasting friendship and musical relationship between the two composers. Adrian Butterfield opened the concert by sharing the story of these two law students who much preferred composing music to studying the law - and if you had a musical brain that produced the Messiah, wouldn’t you drop out of law school, too?
In review: Kitty Whately & Joseph Middleton at Wigmore Hall
ReviewBut from Whately's performance, you would never know the extenuating circumstances at play. Her demeanor was calm and elegant, her expression was engaged, and we felt like we were watching someone who just revels in the joy of singing. Together with pianist Joseph Middleton, the two acted as painters together, showing us beautiful scenes in a program inspired by themes of nature.
Familiar stories: A Wedding Reception (gone wrong)
ReviewAs we finally met the newlyweds, Will & Kate, what stayed funny was the familiarity of the entire scene. The stereotypes were well-chosen, and they allowed the diners some common ground for conversation with their table-mates. The short interactions at the top of the show between "guests" and actors continued to pay off; the audience felt connected and in-the-know with this weird family, freeing them to shout out their two cents at the goings-on. ("What a twat," was one oft-proclaimed phrase from our table.)
In review: Carmen at Nashville Opera
ReviewThe story is all too familiar: girl meets boy, girl loves boy, when girl changes her mind...boy goes bananas. Carmen is a complicated role that requires both vocal dexterity and superior interpretive choices. Fortunately for us, Nashville Opera's Carmen, Ginger Costa-Jackson, goes above and beyond those requirements. Ms. Costa-Jackson, a native of Italy who has made a name for herself singing the titular role, was enchanting as Carmen.
In review times two: Ensemble Prisma Wien & Bernarda Fink
ReviewEnsemble Prisma Wien's debut concert at Wigmore Hall was a successful combination of excellent artists, and the kind of music that seems to flow organically from the group's dynamic. The Ensemble gave us music by Haydn, Schubert and Dvořák, all effortless melodists whose tunes feel as though they've always existed.
In review: Pop Up Opera's I Capuleti e i Montecchi
ReviewPop Up Opera's touring production of I Capuleti e i Montecchi has traveled across the southern UK for nearly a month, and it's impressive that the production, directed by James Hurley, feels at home in its latest London venue. The action takes place in the round, and the cast of five make a handful of forays into the crowd; it's one of the advantages - responsibilities, even - of performing with an audience at arm's length.