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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.

Author:Mark Pullinger

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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.

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Borodin steps into the symphonic limelight: Noseda and the LSO

By Mark Pullinger

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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.

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

By Mark Pullinger

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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.

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

By Mark Pullinger

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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.

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

By Mark Pullinger

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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.

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Terfel’s craggy Boris Godunov returns to Covent Garden

By Mark Pullinger

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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.

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

By Mark Pullinger

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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?

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Mao Fujita takes the plunge into Romanticism at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Pullinger

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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.

*****

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Resplendent Strauss from Canellakis and the Wiener Symphoniker

By Mark Pullinger

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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

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

By Mark Pullinger

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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.

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Jones’ wicked Hänsel und Gretel returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper

By Mark Pullinger

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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?

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Amadeus: envy, poison and an unfinished Requiem

By Mark Pullinger

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Bachtrack top ten: Gaetano Donizetti

By Mark Pullinger, 29 November 2025

A hugely successful composer of bel canto opera, Gaetano Donizetti had a lasting impact, with many of his operas entering regular rotation in houses around the world for almost 200 years.

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Bachtrack top ten: Gaetano Donizetti

By Mark Pullinger

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Shipwrecked: Donizetti’s Il furioso nell’isola di San Domingo comes a cropper

By Mark Pullinger, 16 November 2025

Manuel Renga’s sensitive framing device sets up a sympathetic production of a problematic opera, but is scuppered by the central vocal performance.

***11

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Shipwrecked: Donizetti’s Il furioso comes a cropper in Bergamo

By Mark Pullinger

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Farces flop but young singers impress in Donizetti double bill

By Mark Pullinger, 15 November 2025

Il campanello and Deux Hommes et une femme bomb at the Donizetti Opera festival, but the young singers of the Bottega Donizetti – and wily old hand Alessandro Corbelli – impress.

***11

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At Donizetti Opera Festival: farces flop, young singers impress

By Mark Pullinger

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Donizetti’s Caterina Cornaro given a controversial update in Bergamo

By Mark Pullinger, 14 November 2025

Francesco Micheli reimagines Caterina Cornaro in a contemporary setting, switching to the historical past, to open this year’s Donizetti Opera festival in the composer’s home town.

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Donizetti’s Caterina Cornaro given a controversial update in Bergamo

By Mark Pullinger

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Ratmansky’s Callirhoe launches the Ferri era in Vienna in spectacular style

By Mark Pullinger, 22 October 2025

The first new production of Alessandra Ferri’s directorship of the Wiener Staatsballett sees the European premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s narrative ballet Of Love and Rage under its new title, Callirhoe.

*****

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Ratmansky’s spectacular Callirhoe launches the Ferri era in Vienna

By Mark Pullinger

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Steel and sparks: Stikhina, Tézier and Tetelman outstanding in Wallmann’s classic Vienna Tosca

By Mark Pullinger, 20 September 2025

It may be on its 663rd outing, but Margarethe Wallmann's Tosca is a classic for a reason, as proved in this outstanding performance at the Wiener Staatsoper.

*****

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Stikhina, Tézier and Tetelman outstanding in classic Vienna Tosca

By Mark Pullinger

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A thrusting Daphnis et Chloé brings the BBC Proms Ravel celebrations to a climax

By Mark Pullinger, 12 September 2025

John Wilson brings his Sinfonia of London to the BBC Proms to crown the Ravel 150 celebrations with a glowing performance of his hedonistic symphonie chorégraphique.

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A thrusting Daphnis et Chloé at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger

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Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Fiesta! Philippe Jordan’s Spanish postcard from the Festival Ravel

By Mark Pullinger, 04 September 2025

Born to a Basque mother just ten miles from the Spanish border, Ravel excelled at authentic Spanish flavours as heard in this splendid festival concert by the Orchestre National de France.

*****

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Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Fiesta! Philippe Jordan’s Spanish postcard from the Festival Ravel

By Mark Pullinger

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Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Tilting at windmills at the Festival Ravel

By Mark Pullinger, 03 September 2025

Don Quixote provides the inspiration for songs by Ravel and Ibert, the high point of a bitty programme in contrast to an early evening recital which followed the perfect trajectory.

***11

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Saint-Jean-de-Luz

At Festival Ravel: tilting at windmills

By Mark Pullinger

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Reflections on Maurice Ravel: a three-course piano feast in Ciboure

By Mark Pullinger, 02 September 2025

At the Festival Ravel, Bertrand Chamayou, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Hyunji Kim perform all the solo piano works at the Église Saint-Vincent, a stone’s throw from the house where Ravel was born.

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Reflections on Ravel: a three-course piano feast in Ciboure

By Mark Pullinger

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Rising stars: ten to watch in 2025–26

By Mark Pullinger, 02 September 2025

With so many talented young artists appearing in this season, editor Mark Pullinger selects ten we’re particularly excited to follow this year.

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Rising stars: ten to watch in 2025–26

By Mark Pullinger

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Grooving with The Dude: the Bolívars make Bernstein and Falla dance

By Mark Pullinger, 28 August 2025

Between gigs at Wembley as Coldplay’s support act, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra brings its distinctive brand of infectious music-making to the Southbank.

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Grooving with The Dude: the Bolívars make Bernstein and Falla dance

By Mark Pullinger

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Immersed in Ravel: Seong-Jin Cho

By Mark Pullinger, 21 August 2025

The South Korean pianist talks about his love of Ravel, and performing with the Czech Philharmonic, in their season opener and Asian tour this autumn.

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Immersed in Ravel: Seong-Jin Cho

By Mark Pullinger

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Eugene Onegin on the road: Wild Arts plays Opera Holland Park

By Mark Pullinger, 14 August 2025

Tchaikovsky stipulated that a staging of Eugene Onegin need not be lavish but should be kept in period. He would have been satisfied with the results here.

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Eugene Onegin on the road: Wild Arts plays Opera Holland Park

By Mark Pullinger

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Cool cat: Martin Fröst purrs at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger, 31 July 2025

The Swedish clarinettist pays tribute to two jazz legends in Joshua Weilerstein's programme that includes Proms debutante, Elsa Barraine, and Rachmaninov.

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Cool cat: Martin Fröst purrs at the BBC Proms

By Mark Pullinger

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All the world’s a jest: Falstaff returns to Glyndebourne

By Mark Pullinger, 23 July 2025

Richard Jones' 2009 production returns to Glyndebourne after a long absence, but the 1940s comedy scrubs up fresh.

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All the world’s a jest: Falstaff returns to Glyndebourne

By Mark Pullinger

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To be or not to be: Hamlet returns to the Buxton International Festival

By Mark Pullinger, 16 July 2025

After 45 years, Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet returns to Buxton in a gripping, psychological staging by Jack Furness.

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To be or not to be: Hamlet returns to the Buxton Festival

By Mark Pullinger

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Decadence and decay: Asmik Grigorian and Antonio Pappano lead a sensational Salome

By Mark Pullinger, 11 July 2025

Even locked behind a music stand, like a caged panther in a sleek black gown, Grigorian’s Salome bristles with dramatic energy in Barbican concert performance of Strauss’ “scherzo with a fatal conclusion”.

*****

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Decadence and decay: Asmik Grigorian leads a sensational Salome

By Mark Pullinger

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A riddle inside an enigma: Turandot at Savonlinna Opera Festival

By Mark Pullinger, 05 July 2025

Pet Halmen’s 2003 production of Puccini's unfinished final opera places asks more riddles than Turandot's quiz questions to her would-be suitors.

***11

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Turandot at Savonlinna Opera Festival: a riddle inside an enigma

By Mark Pullinger

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King of the Castle: Verdi’s Macbeth at the Savonlinna Opera Festival

By Mark Pullinger, 04 July 2025

Olavinlinna, also known as St Olaf's Castle, provides an atmospheric setting for Verdi's take on Shakespeare's “Scottish play”.

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King of the Castle: Verdi’s Macbeth in Savonlinna

By Mark Pullinger

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Bachtrack top ten: Richard Strauss

By Mark Pullinger, 11 June 2025

From the early succès de scandale of Salome to a golden Indian summer, Richard Strauss’ long career spanned eight decades. Enjoy some highlights in our playlist.

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Bachtrack top ten: Richard Strauss

By Mark Pullinger

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Pountney’s vivid Simon Boccanegra finds a welcome new home at the Theatre in the Woods

By Mark Pullinger, 05 June 2025

Sir David Pountney's 1997 staging for Welsh National Opera is given a welcome new lease of life at Grange Park Opera, splendidly cast... with one major exception.

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Pountney’s vivid Simon Boccanegra at Grange Park Opera

By Mark Pullinger

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An enigma? Dinis Sousa and the OAE present Elgar on period instruments

By Mark Pullinger, 04 June 2025

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Dinis Sousa bravely venture into Elgar at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, with mixed success.

***11

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Dinis Sousa and the OAE present Elgar on period instruments

By Mark Pullinger

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Hot ice: Natalia Osipova and Lukas B Brændsrød sizzle in Cranko’s Onegin

By Mark Pullinger, 03 June 2025

Natalia Osipova, a seasoned Tatiana, is joined by Lukas B Brændsrød, making his debut as Onegin in the summer return of John Cranko's take on Pushkin's classic verse novel.

*****

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Hot ice: Osipova and Brændsrød sizzle in Cranko’s Onegin

By Mark Pullinger

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Moreton-in-Marsh

At home with the Wagners: Avner Dorman’s Wahnfried receives its UK premiere

By Mark Pullinger, 27 May 2025

Longborough Festival Opera, built on Wagnerian foundations, stages the UK premiere of Avner Dorman’s ambitious cautionary tale about the Wagner clan and establishing the composer’s legacy.

***11

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Moreton-in-Marsh

Dorman’s Wahnfried receives its UK premiere at Longborough

By Mark Pullinger

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Questionable morels: Lady Macbeth in Leipzig

By Mark Pullinger, 25 May 2025

Two notable debuts dominate Oper Leipzig's notable Lady Macbeth revival: Kristine Opolais as Katerina and Andris Nelsons in the pit.

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Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at Oper Leipzig

By Mark Pullinger

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Total Shostakovich masterminded by Andris Nelsons in Leipzig

By Mark Pullinger, 24 May 2025

The combined forces of the Gewandhaus and Boston Symphony unite under Andris Nelsons for a searing Leningrad Symphony, while the Quatuor Danel tackles the string quartets.

*****

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Total Shostakovich in Leipzig

By Mark Pullinger

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A Diaghilev celebration from BRB2

By Mark Pullinger, 06 May 2025

Carlos Acosta devises a programme of Ballets Russes highlights to celebrate Serge Diaghilev and to showcase the young dancers of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s junior company, BRB2.

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A Diaghilev celebration from BRB2

By Mark Pullinger

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Comic opera minus the fizz: Telemann makes his Royal Opera debut

By Mark Pullinger, 02 May 2025

Pimpinone was conceived as a musical interlude – or intermezzo – between acts of Handel’s Tamerlano. Here, it marks the first time a Telemann opera has been staged at Covent Garden.

***11

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Comic opera minus the fizz: Telemann makes his Royal Opera debut

By Mark Pullinger

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Flight of Icarus: perception-altering Shostakovich from Serebrennikov and Petrenko

By Mark Pullinger, 27 April 2025

As part of the Southbank Centre's Multitudes festival, Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony is given a stunning visual direction by Kirill Serebrennikov to match the RPO's gripping playing.

*****

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Perception-altering Shostakovich from Serebrennikov and Petrenko

By Mark Pullinger

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Oh To Believe in Another World: Shostakovich and Stalin on film at the Multitudes festival

By Mark Pullinger, 24 April 2025

William Kentridge's film, a patchwork collage depicting Shostakovich's complicated relationship with Stalin, is played as film score to his Tenth Symphony at the Southbank's genre-crossing Multitudes festival.

***11

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Oh To Believe in Another World: Shostakovich and Stalin on film

By Mark Pullinger

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On top of the chamber music world: Wigmore Hall’s John Gilhooly

By Mark Pullinger, 23 April 2025

The London venue’s Artistic Director talks about Wigmore Hall’s 125th anniversary season, programming 600 concerts – and finding ways to pay for it all.

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On top of the chamber music world: John Gilhooly

By Mark Pullinger

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Percussive Prokofiev and titanic Shostakovich from Igor Levit and Lukas Sternath

By Mark Pullinger, 04 April 2025

Igor Levit champions his young mentee Lukas Sternath in a joint Wigmore Hall recital culminating in Shostakovich's own transcription of his Tenth Symphony.

****1

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Percussive Prokofiev and titanic Shostakovich from Levit and Sternath

By Mark Pullinger

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White hot intensity in Jurowski’s Lyatoshynsky with the LPO

By Mark Pullinger, 02 April 2025

The London Philharmonic welcomes back its Conductor Emeritus Vladimir Jurowski for a typically challenging programme of dark Russian and Ukrainian scores.

****1

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White hot intensity in Jurowski’s Lyatoshynsky

By Mark Pullinger

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Taking another fearless leap: Sonya Yoncheva

By Mark Pullinger, 21 March 2025

“I don't fear anything!” Sonya Yoncheva discusses her career, from leaping from the Castel Sant’Angelo as Tosca to preparing a new Iolanta in Vienna, and setting up her own production company.

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Taking another fearless leap: Sonya Yoncheva

By Mark Pullinger

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Dodging the executioner’s axe: Andrei Șerban’s Turandot returns to The Royal Opera

By Mark Pullinger, 19 March 2025

Andrei Șerban’s 1984 staging of Turandot may the oldest production left in The Royal Opera’s stable, but there's life in the old horse yet.

****1

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Dodging the executioner’s axe: Șerban’s Turandot returns

By Mark Pullinger

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Bachtrack top ten: Georges Bizet

By Mark Pullinger, 20 March 2025

If Georges Bizet had written only Carmen, he would still have earned his place in classical music’s Hall of Fame, yet there is much more to this composer who died tragically young.

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Bachtrack top ten: Georges Bizet

By Mark Pullinger

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Heavyweight Shostakovich from Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic

By Mark Pullinger, 07 March 2025

In the 50th anniversary year of Shostakovich's death, the Czech Philharmonic bring two of the composer's greatest works to the Barbican, the latest stop on their European tour.

****1

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Heavyweight Shostakovich from Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Phil

By Mark Pullinger

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Yasmine Naghdi’s Juliet pierces the heart as MacMillan’s masterpiece returns

By Mark Pullinger, 04 March 2025

“But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks?” Yasmine Naghdi reaches new interpretative depths in this revival of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s classic Romeo and Juliet.

****1

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Naghdi’s Juliet pierces the heart as MacMillan’s masterpiece returns

By Mark Pullinger