Musicians are at a precipice – but does the government care? Given a fanatical Brexiteer cabinet fixated on impossible dreams, and some stunningly inadequate ministers in charge of important a...Read More
Susanna, Linbury Theatre, London How to prepare for the coming storm? Eat well, keep fit, and enjoy the pleasures which will soon be off the menu. It can’t be long before opera houses close their d...Read More
Fidelio, Royal Opera House On paper, director Tobias Kratzer’s rationale for his production of Beethoven’s Fidelio made persuasive sense. He started from the premise that Beethoven set his story ...Read More
Luisa Miller, English National Opera It gives me no pleasure to report that English National Opera, which last year produced a record number of turkeys, has kicked off this year with yet another one. ...Read More
Bach Choir/OAE/David Hill, Royal Festival Hall, London The Southbank Centre may no longer be London’s principal haven for classical music – years of wayward leadership have taken their toll R...Read More
Claron McFadden/Alexander Melnikov, Wigmore Hall, London On comes Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov, looking questioning and quizzical; on saunters American soprano Claron McFadden with the rolling...Read More
Otello, Royal Opera House While English National Opera, under its current leadership, produces nothing but flops, the Royal Opera remains splendidly on track. Hot on the heels of David McVicar’s s...Read More
Die Zauberflöte, Royal Opera House, London While ENO produces one turkey after another, Covent Garden continues to fly the flag. It has just brought back David McVicar’s production of Die Zauberfl...Read More
Angela Hewitt, Wigmore hall Angela Hewitt’s stamina is impressive. Over the past four years her Bach Odyssey has taken her round the globe, playing every note of Bach’s vast keyboard oeuvre. Sheâ€...Read More
The Silver Lake/The Seraglio English Touring Opera Year after year, English Touring Opera’s resourceful director Ed Conway turns up trumps, and this year is no exception. Kurt Weill’s Expressionis...Read More