Prom 4 review: Antonio Pappano, Colin Lee, Joyce DiDonato, Janice Watson, Academy of Sanata Cecilia, Rome, BBC Proms

http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/prom-4-0707.htm

Although it's hard to get to grips with Berio's Sinfonia, the second half of this Prom was astonishing.

Bryn Terfel in Sweeney Todd; Rebecca Evans, Patrizia Ciofi and Lawrence Brownlee interviews; CD label launch

First of all, a reminder to enter our exciting competition:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/news/bbc-naughtie-competition.htm

It's been another busy week. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the new release from Michael Storrs Music, the new CD label:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-stolen-notes.htm

I was disappointed by the RFH's Sweeney Todd starring Bryn Terfel:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/rfh-sweeney.htm

I enjoyed interviewing Rebecca Evans, Patrizia Ciofi and Lawrence Brownlee:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/interviews/evans.htm
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/interviews/ciofi.htm
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/interviews/brownlee.htm

Don't forget the competition! The prizes are great.
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/news/bbc-naughtie-competition.htm

Until next time, take care.

The big update...

It has been a time of hyperactivity here at MusicalCriticism.com, and the blog hasn't been updated for ages! Still, there's plenty to enjoy from the worlds of opera and classical music in the UK.

First of all, don't miss the opportunity to enter our competition to win a copy of James Naughtie's new history of music for the BBC. This six-CD set is a fabulous prize!
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/news/bbc-naughtie-competition.htm

Tosca opened at the Royal Opera House the other night, with Violeta Urmana in the title role:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/roh-tosca.htm

Michael Ball was dazzling - a real stage animal - in the ill-fated Kismet at ENO:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-kismet.htm

Colin Davis once more excelled in Berlioz, performing Benvenuto Cellini with the LSO:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/lso-cellini.htm

I interviewed the absolutely gorgeous Welsh soprano Rebecca Evans about her forthcoming appearance as Despina in Cosi fan tutte at the ROH - her last time in the role - as well as talking about the first time she met Bryn Terfel (before he was famous!):
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/interviews/evans.htm

We review Stolen Notes, the CD from the new record label Michael Storrs Music - all great Verdi arias and excerpts:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-stolen-notes.htm

Renee Fleming returned to London to sing the title role in Massenet's Thais in concert at the ROH:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/roh-thais.htm

Alfred Brendel joined Christoph von Dohnanyif or Beethoven at the newly refurbished Royal Festival Hall:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/philharmonia-brendel.htm

Opera Holland Park excelled in Rossini's The Barber of Seville:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/ohp-barbiere.htm

Una-Frances reviewed Marin Alsop's unusual presentation of The Rite of Spring:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/lpo-rite.htm

and Agnes heard Charles Mackerras and Mitsuko Uchida performing Mozart and Janacek:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/philharmonia-sinfonietta.htm

In the next week, expect reviews of Rigoletto, Sweeney Todd, Lakme and the First Night of the Proms, as well as interviews with Lawrence Brownlee about singing Rossini's Stabat Mater at the Proms and Patrizia Ciofi on Rigoletto at Covent Garden!

ROH Katya Kabanova; Violeta Urmana interview on Tosca; Madama Butterfly at Scottish Opera; CDs

Another busy week at MusicalCriticism.com.

Agnes saw Katya Kabanova at the Royal Opera House on Tuesday, in what may be Charles Mackerras' final performance of the piece:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/roh-katya.htm

I interviewed Violeta Urmana about singing Tosca at Covent Garden:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/interviews/urmana.htm

Mary reviewed Madama Butterfly in Edinburgh:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/sco-butterfly.htm

I was wowed by one of the latest ROH Heritage recordings - Solti's third production as ROH Music Director, Don Giovanni:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-roh-giovanni.htm

We reported on cast changes in this week's LSO performances of Benvenuto Cellini and ROH Thais:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/news/cast-changes-thais.htm

Shen Yang was crowned Cardiff Singer of the World:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/news/cardiff-2007.htm

Rosalind Plowright, Stuart Burrows and Emma Kirkby were honoured by the Queen:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/news/birthday-honours-2007.htm

I reviewed a peculiar DVD of Sergiu Celibidache conducting Mozart and Schubert:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/dvd-celibidache.htm

Keep reading!

Dominic

New CDs; LSO/Gergiev; Schiff Festival

Una-Frances wrote her first review, of the LSO and Valery Gergiev performing Petrushka:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/lso-petrushka.htm

Agnes provided a summation of her thoughts on the Schiff-Mikrokosmos Quartet's Bartok Festival:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/bartok-festival-2007.htm

William reviewed the Halle's latest CD, with Mark Elder conducting Wagner to vivid effect:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/halle-wagner.htm

Mary reviewed the Nash Ensemble's Brahms CD:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/nash-brahms.htm

Oh yes, and me. I previewed Scottish Opera's 2007-08 season in anticipation of Mary's reviews next week:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/news/scottish-opera-2007.htm

I regretted not enjoying the Vasari Singers' latest CD:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/vasari-pott.htm

Don't forget the Cardiff Singer of the World Blog. Jacques Imbrailo was absolutely robbed tonight!:
http://cardiffsingeroftheworld.blogspot.com/

Until next time...keep reading!
Dominic

La clemenza di Tito; Don Giovanni

David McVicar's production of Mozart's penultimate opera returned to ENO:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-tito.htm

Francesca Zambello's production of Don Giovanni returned to Covent Garden with a mixed cast:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/roh-giovanni.htm

Opera Holland Park re-opens; Charities Philharmonia

It was good to see that the new canopy and foyer spaces at Holland Park Opera have retained the best of the old while bringing a new lease of life to proceedings. I especially like the new seats!

The opening production of Nabucco had its odd points but was genuinely stirring:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/ohp-nabucco.htm

Jenufa is unmissable for its stars, Anne Sophie Duprels and Anne Mason:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/ohp-jenufa.htm

Meanwhile, over at St John's Smith Square, we caught up with the latest concert by the Charities Philharmonia:
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/concerts/charities-young-2.htm