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Mark Pullinger

Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.

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Pekka Kuusisto, Ale Carr and Aurora Orchestra © Chuko Cribb

Baroque’n’roll Vivaldi from Pekka Kuusisto and Ale Carr in Aurora Orchestra jam session

By Mark Pullinger, 25 September 2026

Swedish folk musician Ale Carr joins the multi-faceted Finn and Aurora Orchestra in an unconventional but brilliant take on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

*****

Pekka Kuusisto, Ale Carr and Aurora Orchestra © Chuko Cribb

Baroque’n’roll Vivaldi from Pekka Kuusisto in Aurora jam session

By Mark Pullinger

Sir Bryn Terfel (Scarpia) and chorus © Alex Brenner

Firing blanks: Oxford International Opera’s aimless Tosca

By Mark Pullinger, 24 September 2026

The inaugural production of Oxford's new “international” company lacks direction, but Carmen Giannattasio’s Tosca makes the trip worthwhile.

**111

Sir Bryn Terfel (Scarpia) and chorus © Alex Brenner

Firing blanks: Oxford International Opera’s aimless Tosca

By Mark Pullinger

Jakob Lehmann conducts the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique © Paul Marc Mitchell

Bracing Rossini from the Monteverdi Choir and ORR at Ally Pally

By Mark Pullinger, 18 September 2026

“Have I just written sacred music, or rather, sacrilegious music?” Rossini's Petite messe solennelle dons a period instrument mantle with the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique at London's Alexandra Palace.

****1

Jakob Lehmann conducts the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique © Paul Marc Mitchell

Bracing Rossini from the Monteverdi Choir at Ally Pally

By Mark Pullinger

Gordon Bintner (Don Giovanni) © RBO | Mihaela Bodlovic

Don Giovanni spins round again to open The Royal Opera’s season

By Mark Pullinger, 10 September 2026

With its busy videography, Kasper Holten's 2014 production returns, vibrantly conducted by Stefano Montanari.

***11

Gordon Bintner (Don Giovanni) © RBO | Mihaela Bodlovic

Don Giovanni spins round again to open The Royal Opera’s season

By Mark Pullinger

Sir Simon Rattle and Isabelle Faust © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Autumnal colours in Rattle’s all-Schumann Prom with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra

By Mark Pullinger, 07 September 2026

Isabelle Faust joins the FBO for a performance of Schumann's Violin Concerto, a work embargoed by the composer's friends after his death.

****1

Sir Simon Rattle and Isabelle Faust © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Autumnal colours in Rattle’s all-Schumann Prom

By Mark Pullinger

Martha Argerich and Lahav Shani © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Martha Argerich delights the Royal Albert Hall with crisp Beethoven

By Mark Pullinger, 05 September 2026

Making his BBC Proms debut, Lahav Shani brings the Munich Philharmonic, days before becoming its new Chief Conductor.

****1

Martha Argerich and Lahav Shani © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Martha Argerich delights the Albert Hall with a crisp Beethoven 2

By Mark Pullinger

Sandro Rossi (Giulio Cesare) © Julian Guidera

Et tu, Brute? A pocket-sized Giulio Cesare graces London’s East End

By Mark Pullinger, 03 September 2026

She came, she saw, she conquered. Serbian soprano Radoslava Vorgić steals the show as a radiant Cleopatra in Grimeborn Opera Festival's Giulio Cesare in Egitto.

***11

Sandro Rossi (Giulio Cesare) © Julian Guidera

A pocket-sized Giulio Cesare in London’s East End

By Mark Pullinger

Bachtrack's Rising Stars 2026-27 © See captions

Rising Stars: Ten to watch in 2026–27

By Mark Pullinger, 02 September 2026

Editor Mark Pullinger selects ten young performers who are definitely worth following in the coming season.

Bachtrack's Rising Stars 2026-27 © See captions

Rising Stars: Ten to watch in 2026–27

By Mark Pullinger

Monica Zanettin (Aida) © Emma Suominen

The price of war: Noa Naamat’s powerful Aida opens the season in Helsinki

By Mark Pullinger, 28 August 2026

Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s season opens with an earthy new production of Verdi's perennial favourite, Aida, given a contemporary setting where even the victors suffer.

****1

Monica Zanettin (Aida) © Emma Suominen

Noa Naamat’s powerful Aida opens the season in Helsinki

By Mark Pullinger

Elza van den Heever, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Met Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Elza van den Heever’s Salome soars and The Met Orchestra glows in BBC Proms debuts

By Mark Pullinger, 26 August 2026

Yannick Nézet-Séguin returns to the Proms with an all-Strauss programme, bringing his charges from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and soprano Elza van den Heever for a slice of Salome.

****1

Elza van den Heever, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Met Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Van den Heever soars and The Met Orchestra glows in BBC Proms debuts

By Mark Pullinger

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Rumble! A Berlioz Requiem to shake the soul at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger, 15 August 2026

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra a shattering – but also moving – account of the Grande Messe des morts at the Royal Albert Hall

*****

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Rumble! A Berlioz Requiem to shake the soul at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger

Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Gustavo Dudamel steers the LA Phil on wild ride into Hell at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger, 11 August 2026

The LA Phil take two journeys – to the countryside and through the nine Circle of Hell – on their long overdue return to the BBC Proms... with variable results.

***11

Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Dudamel steers the LA Phil on wild ride into Hell at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger

Omer Meir Wellber conducts the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Omer Meir Wellber enjoys an energetic workout with DKam at the Proms

By Mark Pullinger, 31 July 2026

Between energetic Haydn and Schumann, Daniel Lozakovich brings freshness to Max Bruch's evergreen First Violin Concerto as Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen concludes a European tour at the BBC Proms.

****1

Omer Meir Wellber conducts the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Omer Meir Wellber enjoys an energetic workout with DKam at the Proms

By Mark Pullinger

Richard Hills and the Sinfonia of London brass © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Roman Holiday: postcards from the Eternal City superbly dispatched by the Sinfonia of London

By Mark Pullinger, 24 July 2026

John Wilson embraces Respighi's panoramic impressions of Rome in an action-packed Italian day trip at the BBC Proms.

****1

Richard Hills and the Sinfonia of London brass © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Roman Holiday: vibrant Respighi at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger

Louise Alder © Will Alder

From Susanna to the Contessa… and back again: Louise Alder on singing Mozart

By Mark Pullinger, 24 July 2026

Soprano Louise Alder reflects on her experiences singing both Susanna and the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro and exploring other Mozart roles.

Louise Alder © Will Alder

From Susanna to the Contessa… and back again: Louise Alder on Mozart

By Mark Pullinger

Dalia Stasevska conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Brash Americana and a Finzi choral rarity launch the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger, 17 July 2026

Dalia Stasevska conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a nod to #America250 and Yunchan Lim plays Ravel's jazzy Piano Concerto in G.

***11

Dalia Stasevska conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra © BBC | Chris Christodoulou

Brash Americana and a choral rarity launch the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger

Julia Lezhneva, Giovanni Antonini and Il Giardino Armonico © Tom Wright | Wigmore Hall

Thrills and trills: Julia Lezhneva takes Il Giardino Armonico into extra time at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger, 08 July 2026

Extra time and penalties beckon as Julia Lezhneva displays rapidfire coloratura and endless stamina in an evening capped with seven encores.

***11

Julia Lezhneva, Giovanni Antonini and Il Giardino Armonico © Tom Wright | Wigmore Hall

Julia Lezhneva takes Il Giardino Armonico into extra time

By Mark Pullinger

Quatuor Ébène at Wigmore Hall © Darius Weinberg | Wigmore Hall.

Weeping willows and a cavatina: Quatuor Ébène’s Beethoven at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger, 03 July 2026

Slow movements prove the highlights of the latest instalment of the Quatuor Ébène’s Beethoven cycle. What would Elgar and August “Nimrod” Jaeger have thought?

****1

Quatuor Ébène at Wigmore Hall © Darius Weinberg | Wigmore Hall.

Slow movements take the palm in the Quatuor Ébène’s Wigmore Beethoven

By Mark Pullinger

Catherine Carby (Brangäne) and Catharine Woodward (Isolde) © Matthew Williams-Ellis

Moreton-in-Marsh

Anthony Negus conducts a vigorous, vivid Tristan und Isolde in the Cotswolds

By Mark Pullinger, 02 July 2026

The revered Anthony Negus conducts a superb revival of Carmen Jakobi’s abstract production of Wagner’s transcendent drama at Longborough Festival Opera.

****1

Catherine Carby (Brangäne) and Catharine Woodward (Isolde) © Matthew Williams-Ellis

Moreton-in-Marsh

A vigorous, vivid Tristan und Isolde in the Cotswolds

By Mark Pullinger

Lisette Oropesa (Elvira) © RBO | Tristram Kenton

Bel canto brilliance: Lisette Oropesa the jewel in Covent Garden’s new Puritani crown

By Mark Pullinger, 30 June 2026

The role of Elvira in Bellini’s I puritani contains the most challenging mad scenes in all opera, but soprano Lisette Oropesa dazzles on the opening night of Richard Jones’ new production.

****1

Lisette Oropesa (Elvira) © RBO | Tristram Kenton

Lisette Oropesa the jewel in Covent Garden’s new Puritani crown

By Mark Pullinger

Ruzan Mantashyan (Tatyana) © Richard Hubert Smith

Ruzan Mantashyan’s compelling Tatyana makes the Grange Festival’s Eugene Onegin unmissable

By Mark Pullinger, 26 June 2026

The Armenian soprano makes her Grange Festival debut – a casting coup that proves the single most compelling reason to see Max Webster’s new production.

****1

Ruzan Mantashyan (Tatyana) © Richard Hubert Smith

Compelling Ruzan Mantashyan makes the Grange’s Onegin unmissable

By Mark Pullinger

Steven Isserlis, Maxim Emelyanychev and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment © Mark Allan

Maxim Emelyanychev, Steven Isserlis and the OAE party like it’s 1897

By Mark Pullinger, 24 June 2026

A recreation of the final concert attended by Johannes Brahms marks the closing programme of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment's 40th season.

****1

Steven Isserlis, Maxim Emelyanychev and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment © Mark Allan

Emelyanychev, Isserlis and the OAE party like it’s 1897

By Mark Pullinger

Vincent Van Gogh: Starry Night (1889) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: musical art galleries

By Mark Pullinger, 25 June 2026

Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition famously depicts artworks by his friend Viktor Hartmann, but which other musical works were inspired by the visual arts?

Vincent Van Gogh: Starry Night (1889) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: musical art galleries

By Mark Pullinger

Stephanie Childress conducts Sinfonia Smith Square © Sophie Oliver Photography

The earth moved! Living Mahler 1 from the inside out at Smith Square

By Mark Pullinger, 10 June 2026

Stephanie Childress conducts Sinfonia Smith Square in a Mahler First Symphony with a difference, “semi-staged” by Tom Morris, with both musicians and audience on the move.

****1

Stephanie Childress conducts Sinfonia Smith Square © Sophie Oliver Photography

The earth moved! Living Mahler 1 from the inside out at Smith Square

By Mark Pullinger

Tim Mead (Giulio Cesare) and Hugh Cutting (Tolomeo) © Richard Hubert Smith

Caesar and the Raiders of the Lost Ark: comic overkill stunts Handel at Grange Festival

By Mark Pullinger, 07 June 2026

Despite excellent vocal performances, David Alden’s production of Giulio Cesare in Egitto aims at irreverence but overplays the comedy.

***11

Tim Mead (Giulio Cesare) and Hugh Cutting (Tolomeo) © Richard Hubert Smith

Comic overkill stunts Handel’s Giulio Cesare at Grange Festival

By Mark Pullinger

Carl Maria von Weber, portrait by Ferdinand Schimon (1825) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Carl Maria von Weber

By Mark Pullinger, 05 June 2026

Although his reputation rests principally on Der Freischütz, (Berlioz was a fan), Carl Maria von Weber was an outstanding composer, writing some of the greatest works in the clarinet repertoire.

Carl Maria von Weber, portrait by Ferdinand Schimon (1825) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Carl Maria von Weber

By Mark Pullinger

Sebastian Hill (Miles Zegner) and Aidan O'Donnell (The Sodbuster) © David Monteith-Hodge

Chasing the American Dream: UK premiere for Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up

By Mark Pullinger, 01 June 2026

Amy Lane directs an intimate staging of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s 2018 chamber opera in the compact Milton Court Theatre.

****1

Sebastian Hill (Miles Zegner) and Aidan O'Donnell (The Sodbuster) © David Monteith-Hodge

Chasing the American Dream: UK premiere for Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up

By Mark Pullinger

Robert Schumann, 1839 lithograph by Josef Kriehuber © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Robert Schumann

By Mark Pullinger, 01 June 2026

Robert Schumann’s music is intensely personal. Unlike the architectural grandeur of Beethoven or the theatrical brilliance of Franz Liszt, Schumann specialised in emotional intimacy and nuance.

Robert Schumann, 1839 lithograph by Josef Kriehuber © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Robert Schumann

By Mark Pullinger

María Dueñas and the BBC Symphony Orchestra © Mark Pullinger

More gold than corn: María Dueñas’ silky Korngold at the Barbican

By Mark Pullinger, 22 May 2026

The young Spanish violinist proves an ardent advocate for a work originally dismissed as a “Hollywood Concerto” as the BBC Symphony Orchestra closes its Barbican season.

****1

María Dueñas and the BBC Symphony Orchestra © Mark Pullinger

More gold than corn: María Dueñas plays Korngold at the Barbican

By Mark Pullinger

Andris Nelsons, soloists and the Vienna Philharmonic © Antonia Wechner

Redemption and a musical caffeine shot: Andris Nelsons conducts Mahler 8 in Vienna

By Mark Pullinger, 10 May 2026

Sunday morning Mahler at the Wiener Konzerthaus sees Andris Nelsons concluding his symphony cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic in shattering fashion.

****1

Andris Nelsons, soloists and the Vienna Philharmonic © Antonia Wechner

Redemption and musical caffeine: Nelsons conducts Mahler 8 in Vienna

By Mark Pullinger

William Shakespeare, the “flower portrait” (1609) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Shakespeare in music

By Mark Pullinger, 23 April 2026

If music be the food of love... the Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon has inspired composers for centuries. Enjoy our top ten playlist featuring works from Felix Mendelssohn to Thomas Adès.

William Shakespeare, the “flower portrait” (1609) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Shakespeare in music

By Mark Pullinger

Kirsty Taylor-Stokes (Salome) © Steve Gregson

Seconds out! Regents Opera’s Salome lands a knockout punch at York Hall

By Mark Pullinger, 10 April 2026

Mark Ravenhill directs a brutal, bloody Salome at the spiritual home of British boxing, York Hall.

****1

Kirsty Taylor-Stokes (Salome) © Steve Gregson

Regents Opera’s Salome lands a knockout punch at York Hall

By Mark Pullinger

Elim Chan © Marco Borggreve

Elim Chan: from Sorcerer’s Apprentice to Proms Queen and beyond

By Mark Pullinger, 07 April 2026

The Hong Kong-born conductor talks about her entry into music, her love of big Russian repertoire, her “Cinderella moment” winning the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition and her ambition to “go against the grind”.

Elim Chan © Marco Borggreve

Elim Chan: from Sorcerer’s Apprentice to Proms Queen

By Mark Pullinger

Charles Castronovo (Riccardo) and Anna Netrebko (Amelia) © Stephan Rabold

Eyes wide shut for Berlin’s new Ballo

By Mark Pullinger, 29 March 2026

At the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Rafael R Villalobos addresses the problems he perceives with Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, although the musical performances – led by Anna Netrebko – compensate.

***11

Charles Castronovo (Riccardo) and Anna Netrebko (Amelia) © Stephan Rabold

Eyes wide shut for Berlin’s new Ballo

By Mark Pullinger

Peter Rose, Nikola Hillebrand, Patricia Nolz, Christian Thielemann and Julia Kleiter © Jenny Bohse

Young stars shine as Rosenkavalier opens Staatsoper Unter den Linden’s Festtage

By Mark Pullinger, 28 March 2026

Patricia Nolz makes an outstanding role debut as Christian Thielemann conducts a thrusting Rosenkavalier to open the Staatsoper Unter den Linden's Festtage.

*****

Peter Rose, Nikola Hillebrand, Patricia Nolz, Christian Thielemann and Julia Kleiter © Jenny Bohse

Young stars shine in the Staatsoper Berlin’s Rosenkavalier

By Mark Pullinger

Jonathan Brown (Leone) © Craig Fuller

Freudian slip: Tamerlano recast as Trumpian tantrums at the London Handel Festival

By Mark Pullinger, 26 March 2026

Opha Phelan’s staging presents the action as a grand, Freudian social experiment. It’s a risk – but the production is lifted by outstanding performances from the cast and the Academy of Ancient Music.

***11

Jonathan Brown (Leone) © Craig Fuller

Freudian slip: Handel’s Tamerlano recast as Trumpian tantrums

By Mark Pullinger

Speranza Scappucci © RBO | Mihaela Bodlovic 2024

Opera in the blood: Speranza Scappucci

By Mark Pullinger, 17 March 2026

The Royal Opera’s Principal Guest Conductor explains her passion for opera, her journey into the pit and how good conductors share the attributes of football managers.

Speranza Scappucci © RBO | Mihaela Bodlovic 2024

Opera in the blood: Speranza Scappucci

By Mark Pullinger

Portrait of Frédéric Chopin by Thomas Couture (1845-49) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Frédéric Chopin

By Mark Pullinger, 01 March 2026

Ten works revealing the paradox of Chopin: a composer outwardly delicate, inwardly steely; rooted in Polish dance rhythms, yet formed in Parisian sophistication.

Portrait of Frédéric Chopin by Thomas Couture (1845-49) © Public domain

Bachtrack top ten: Frédéric Chopin

By Mark Pullinger

Marianne Crebassa and The Mozartists © The Mozartists

Mozartian masterclass: Marianne Crebassa wears the trousers at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger, 26 February 2026

Trouser – and toga – roles abound at Wigmore Hall as French mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa debuts with The Mozartists in arias from four key Mozart roles.

****1

Marianne Crebassa and The Mozartists © The Mozartists

Marianne Crebassa wears the trousers at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger

Seong-Jin Cho © LSO | Mark Allan

Borodin steps into the symphonic limelight with Gianandrea Noseda and the LSO

By Mark Pullinger, 15 February 2026

Seong-Jin Cho continues his Artist Portrait series with the LSO by performing Chopin's poetic Second Piano Concerto.

****1

Seong-Jin Cho © LSO | Mark Allan

Borodin steps into the symphonic limelight: Noseda and the LSO

By Mark Pullinger

Alexandra Dovgan © Vladimir Volkov

Schumann v Schumann: a surprise victor emerges between piano concerto play-off

By Mark Pullinger, 11 February 2026

Alexandra Dovgan plays piano concertos by Clara and Robert Schumann at the Konzerthaus, but it's the Kammerorchester Basel's performance of a forgotten symphony which most impresses.

****1

Alexandra Dovgan © Vladimir Volkov

Schumann v Schumann: a surprise victor in Vienna concerto play-off

By Mark Pullinger

Margarita Fernandes and António Casalinho in Rubies © Wiener Staatsballett | Ashley Taylor

Study in Scarlet: Rubies crown Balanchine’s Jewels at the Wiener Staatsballett

By Mark Pullinger, 08 February 2026

With a trio of excellent performances, Balanchine's sassy Rubies proves the hit as Jewels – a relatively recent acquisition – returns to the Wiener Staatsballett.

****1

Margarita Fernandes and António Casalinho in Rubies © Wiener Staatsballett | Ashley Taylor

Study in Scarlet: Rubies crown Balanchine’s Jewels in Vienna

By Mark Pullinger

The Erlkings © Austrian Tourist Office | Peak Motion Films

From Sprechstimme to yodelling: Schubert’s birthday bash at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger, 31 January 2026

A double-header celebrates Schubert featuring Allan Clayton and Paul Lewis in Winterreise and the Austrian folk/rock band The Erllkings.

****1

The Erlkings © Austrian Tourist Office | Peak Motion Films

Sprechstimme and yodelling: Schubert’s birthday bash at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger

Sir Bryn Terfel (Boris Godunov) © The Royal Opera | Mihaela Bodlovic

Sir Bryn Terfel’s craggy Boris Godunov returns to Covent Garden

By Mark Pullinger, 29 January 2026

The second revival of Richard Jones' staging of Mussorgsky's original 1869 version of Boris Godunov once again stars the Welsh knight.

****1

Sir Bryn Terfel (Boris Godunov) © The Royal Opera | Mihaela Bodlovic

Terfel’s craggy Boris Godunov returns to Covent Garden

By Mark Pullinger

Markus Weinfurter and The Gesualdo Six in Death of Gesualdo © Paul Marc Mitchell

Murderous madrigalist: Death of Gesualdo a treat for eyes and ears

By Mark Pullinger, 16 January 2026

Agony, ecstasy and a double murder: Bill Barclay and The Gesualdo Six combine for a theatrical concert celebrating the life – and death – of the Renaissance composer.

****1

Markus Weinfurter and The Gesualdo Six in Death of Gesualdo © Paul Marc Mitchell

Murderous madrigalist: Death of Gesualdo a treat for eyes and ears

By Mark Pullinger

Mao Fujita © Kenny Morrison | Wigmore Hall

Mao Fujita takes the plunge into Romanticism at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger, 02 January 2026

The Japanese pianist’s Mozart is highly regarded, but how would he fair in a programme ranging from Beethoven to Brahms, culminating in Liszt's greatest Wagnerian transcription?

****1

Mao Fujita © Kenny Morrison | Wigmore Hall

Mao Fujita takes the plunge into Romanticism at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger

Leif Ove Andsnes and Karina Canellakis © Amar Mehmedinovic | Musikverein Wien

Top brass: resplendent Strauss from Karina Canellakis and the Wiener Symphoniker

By Mark Pullinger, 17 December 2025

Leif Ove Andsnes joins the Vienna Symphony in the Musikverein's Golden Hall for a glowing account of Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto before a terrific Tod und Verklärung.

*****

Leif Ove Andsnes and Karina Canellakis © Amar Mehmedinovic | Musikverein Wien

Resplendent Strauss from Canellakis and the Wiener Symphoniker

By Mark Pullinger

Sangeun Lee (Sugar Plum Fairy), Gareth Haw (Cavalier) and English National Ballet dancers © Photography by ASH

Candy-crazed: English National Ballet’s sweet-toothed Nutcracker returns

By Mark Pullinger, 11 December 2025

Returning for its first anniversary, Arielle Smith and Aaron S Watkin’s Nutcracker for English National Ballet remains a feast for hungry eyes, despite its flaws.

***11

Sangeun Lee (Sugar Plum Fairy), Gareth Haw (Cavalier) and English National Ballet dancers © Photography by ASH

Candy-crazed: ENB’s sweet-toothed Nutcracker returns

By Mark Pullinger

Nikola Hillebrand (Gretel) and Rachael Wilson (Hänsel) © Geoffroy Schied

Wickedly delicious: Richard Jones’ Hänsel und Gretel returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper

By Mark Pullinger, 06 December 2025

Even without a gingerbread house, there’s enough wickedness in Richard Jones’ staging of Humperdinck’s opera for sweet tooths to savour.

****1

Nikola Hillebrand (Gretel) and Rachael Wilson (Hänsel) © Geoffroy Schied

Jones’ wicked Hänsel und Gretel returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper

By Mark Pullinger

Will Sharpe as Mozart in the new Amadeus serialisation © Sky

Amadeus: a tale of envy, poison and an unfinished Requiem

By Mark Pullinger, 02 December 2025

Fact v fiction: with a new television serialisation of Shaffer’s play about to screen, just how mediocre a composer was Salieri and how did the myth that Salieri poisoned Mozart take hold?

Will Sharpe as Mozart in the new Amadeus serialisation © Sky

Amadeus: envy, poison and an unfinished Requiem

By Mark Pullinger