David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.
We drink in the atmostphere of the medieval streets of a city which feels uniquely connected to its rich history – and just happens to contain a world class orchestra and concert hall.
The new Kapellmeister of the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester leads a passionate rendering of Mahler 5, while Håkan Hardenberger gives a masterclass in trumpet colour.
Wagner's storytelling shines brightly with the aid of a cast well out of the ordinary. Vinke, Stemme, Siegel and Lundgren make part 3 of The Ring an unforgettable evening of opera.
It's a big night at the Opéra Bastille for their 350th anniversary season; Oropesa's dazzling coloratura stops the show; Andreas Kriegenburg sets the action interestingly in a Star Trek future.
We start with a triumphant Royal Opera debut from Stuart Skelton, we close with Nina Stemme at her finest; a thrilling orchestral performance links the two. A memorable Walküre.
Antonio Pappano and the Royal Opera Orchestra get the Ring cycle off to a blazing start; unusually, it's Lise Davidsen and the female cast who take the vocal honours.
Intensive, precise rehearsal builds trust between musicians, which permits artistic freedom in performance: the Bamberg Symphony's young Chief Conductor tells us how it's done.
Britten's profoundly pacifist work is given a calm reading by Peter Oundjian and the RSNO: soprano Erin Wall, the RSNO Junior Chorus and the wind players provide the high spots of the evening.
Looking back over six decades of performance, Romero talks about leaving Franco-era Spain for America, music, guitar, family, working with great composers, teaching and more.
Mahler for beginners? Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra provide exemplary clarity and understanding of structure, but don't hit one in the chest in the way the Third can.
A quartet of superb soloists shine through an orchestral and choral performance of great precision to bring out Verdi’s powerful evocation of the terror of eternal damnation.
A superb choral performance and some memorable solo moments bring Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand" to life, even if the sheer energy of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra turns frantic at times.
In an all-Bernstein programme, Nicola Benedetti enthralls in Symposium, the Baltimore Symphony’s percussionists strut their stuff in the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and Marin Alsop introduces us to rarities. A true birthday treat.
Herheim pulls us in unexpected directions, makes us laugh and makes us think as we enjoy fine Rossinian music and singing in Opéra de Lyon's production.
