Britten Sinfonia, Alice Coote, Wigmore Hall
The Britten Centenary began here, on his 99th birthday, on Saint Cecilia Day, at Wigmore Hall, and it seemed only fitting that the composer who gave him so much inspiration should have the first word – or…
Bizet “Carmen”, English National Opera, London Coliseum
There are few directors who can realise the potential of bodies on stage as dramatically as Calixto Bieito. Toilet cubicles aside (and it says something of our national press that this has become the image most associated…
A Conversation With MAXIM VENGEROV
Sunday 18th November 2012, London Jewish Cultural Centre at Ivy House It was a real a real privilege being invited by the London Jewish Cultural Centre to interview Maxim Vengerov at Anna Pavlova’s old London home –…
“Victor/Victoria” jinxed?
Blake Edwards’ adaptation of his own movie Victor/Victoria would seem to be stalked by a dark star. Henry Mancini fell ill and died whilst trying to complete the much-augmented score, Julie Andrews’ vocal woes began in the…
A Conversation With MARIN ALSOP: Chief Conductor of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
There’s more than just Football and Formula One and the Rio Olympics to divert global attention to Brazil – indeed the whole of South America – at the present time. Classical music has never been hotter than…
Hamlisch’s “Sweet Smell of Success” gets feisty UK premiere at the Arcola Theatre
It’s well known that a composer’s latest “baby” is always his favourite but when I met with Marvin Hamlisch a few days after the Broadway opening back in 2002 he really was full of The Sweet Smell…
A Conversation With CALIXTO BIEITO
The image of the toilet cubicles lingers on but no one can deny the fierce theatricality that shakes up English National Opera whenever Calixto Bieito’s in town. His anarchic Don Giovanni made us reassess the motivations of both sexes…
Vaughan Williams “Pilgrim’s Progress”, English National Opera, London Coliseum
Not for nothing did Vaughan Williams frame his “Morality” The Pilgim’s Progress with scenes of John Bunyan imprisoned. Bunyan would not conform to Church of England doctrines and neither, in his way, would Vaughan Williams. The Pilgrim’s…
A Conversation With KRISTJAN JÄRVI: Baltic Youth Philharmonic
The Baltic Youth Philharmonic (founded in 2008) is part of a much larger and bolder enterprise embracing the 10 nation states bordering the Baltic Sea. At a time of financial duress when governments are downgrading culture as…
A Conversation With STEPHEN TRIFFITT
Stephen Triffitt leaves his alter ego, Francis Albert Sinatra, under wraps for a few hours and shares the amazing story of how the two of them became one. From The Rat Pack to his own solo tribute shows this is…