Prom 15: Verdi's Macbeth

I realise that for many this was a wonderful evening, but I sat through it with the critical edition of the score in my hands and wondered many times where certain gestures, tempi and note lengths were coming from:

http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/prom-15-0707.htm

La traviata at Opera Holland Park

I rather liked Holland Park's production of Traviata. Unlike Richard Eyre's heavy ROH production, it has a light touch that is in keeping with the opera itself:

http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/ohp-traviata.htm

American Jubilee: CD review

Erich Kunzel conducts the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - sometimes ponderously - in American music:

http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-jubilee.htm

Prom 19: Halle/Elder - Strauss, Britten and Nielsen

Evidently a mixed affair, not helped by the late indisposition of Lisa Milne:

http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/prom-19-0707.htm

L'amore dei tre Re opens at Opera Holland Park

One of the highlights of the year: Opera Holland Park have uncovered a lost masterpiece:

http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/ohp-re.htm

The Making of Music review

Hugo waded through all six hours of James Naughtie's new history of music:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-making-of-music.htm

Lucio Silla DVD and Madama Butterfly CD

The sensational latest release from ROH Heritage: Victoria de los Angeles in Madama Butterfly:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-roh-butterfly.htm

Not a captivating production, but a musically riveting DVD of Mozart's early opera seria Lucio Silla from Salzburg:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/dvd-silla.htm