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…
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tetzlaff, Vänskä, Royal Festival Hall (Review)
Some symphonies are natural curtain-raisers: Sibelius’ Third is one. Music began with rhythm and in this piece the cellos are the distant drummers who bring us back to basics with their curt opening measures. Osmo Vänskä clipped…
Donizetti’s ‘Belisario’ marches in…
Among Donizetti’s 75 or so operas Belisario has all the credentials to be much more than just a curio. It was written in the wake of Lucia di Lammermoor‘s triumph and represents the composer in full maturity…
A Conversation With LESLEY GARRETT
Saturday 24th November 2012, Howard Assembly Rooms Leeds In conversation with Lesley Garrett. … [Read More]
A Conversation With MAXIM VENGEROV
Sunday 18th November 2012, London Jewish Cultural Centre at Ivy House In conversation with Maxim Vengerov PODCAST AVAILABLE HERE… [Read More]