Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Respighi

Nikolai Luganksy and Carlos Miguel Prieto join the Philharmonia's superb end-of-season jamboree

By Christopher Woodley, 11 June 2025

Nikolai Lugansky's barnstorming performance of Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto is the centrepiece of the Philharmonia's end-of-season concert.

*****

Loading image...

*****

London

11 Jun 2025

A superb end-of-season jamboree for the Philharmonia

By Christopher Woodley

Loading image...

Auckland

Astonishing Rachmaninov from Daniil Trifonov

By Simon Holden, 12 April 2025

Daniil Trifonov takes New Zealand by storm with a performance of Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto of technical command and musical artistry.

*****

Loading image...

*****

Auckland

12 Apr 2025

Astonishing Rachmaninov from Daniil Trifonov

By Simon Holden

Loading image...

Flashy Prokofiev and Respighi from the BBCSO and Antonio Méndez

By Chris Garlick, 06 December 2024

Stepping in for an indisposed Jonathon Heyward, Antonio Méndez conducts the BBCSO at their most colourful and joyously virtuosic.

****1

Loading image...

****1

London

06 Dec 2024

Flashy Prokofiev and Respighi from the BBCSO and Antonio Méndez

By Chris Garlick

Loading image...

American Ballet Theatre: Kyle Abraham's Mercurial Son disappoints

By Ivy Lin, 16 October 2024

Bond’s La Boutique was delightful, Abraham’s Mercurial Son, a little disappointing but Lander's Études sent the audience home happy.

****1

Loading image...

****1

New York City

16 Oct 2024

American Ballet Theatre: Kyle Abraham's Mercurial Son disappoints

By Ivy Lin

Loading image...

Buffalo

Resplendent interpretations by Yang and Falletta with the Buffalo Philharmonic

By Phillip Nones, 13 October 2024

JoAnn Falletta demonstrates her customary excellence in colorful orchestral works by Ibert and Respighi, while Joyce Yang hits the mark in capturing the jazz-classical fusion in Gershwin’s Piano Concerto.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Buffalo

13 Oct 2024

Resplendent interpretations by Yang and Falletta with the Buffalo Phil

By Phillip Nones

Loading image...

Berlin

Real and emotional fires light the Berlin stage in Respighi’s La fiamma

By Zenaida des Aubris, 29 September 2024

Christof Loy and Carlo Rizzi score a great success in bringing Respighi’s rarely performed opera the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Berlin

29 Sep 2024

Real and emotional fires light the stage in Respighi’s La fiamma

By Zenaida des Aubris

Loading image...

Baltimore

From Manhattan to Rome: musical journeys end Baltimore Symphony season

By Cameron Kelsall, 16 June 2024

Jonathan Heyward's first season as BSO Music Director closed with an exciting world premiere from composer-in-residence James Lee III, alongside audience favorites old and new.

***11

Loading image...

***11

Baltimore

16 Jun 2024

Musical journeys end Baltimore Symphony season

By Cameron Kelsall

Loading image...

Singapore

Xavier de Maistre and Respighi hold Singapore audience in raptures

By Chang Tou Liang, 25 May 2024

Xavier de Maistre gives the Singapore premiere of Ginastera's Harp Concerto, while Pierre Bleuse conducts two of Respighi's Roman trilogy.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Singapore

25 May 2024

Xavier de Maistre and Respighi hold Singapore audience in raptures

By Chang Tou Liang

Loading image...

International Draft Works showcases new choreography with aplomb

By Amanda Jennings, 10 April 2024

International Draft Works gives opportunities for Londoners to see companies and choreographers that they might otherwise not see in the UK.

***11

Loading image...

***11

London

10 Apr 2024

International Draft Works showcases new choreography with aplomb

By Amanda Jennings

Loading image...

Edinburgh

Ancient and modern juxtapositions from Emelyanychev and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

By Simon Thompson, 07 December 2023

Maxim Emelyanychev forges connections between composers ancient and modern, but it's the Baroque composers who come off best as played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

***11

Loading image...

***11

Edinburgh

07 Dec 2023

Ancient and modern from Emelyanychev and the SCO

By Simon Thompson

Loading image...

Gerald Finley and Julius Drake bring their Night and Day tour to London

By Mark Valencia, 24 November 2023

Heinrich Heine settings by Schumann and Schubert are counter-balanced by Duparc and Cole Porter in a Temple Song recital reflecting on night and day.

*****

Loading image...

*****

London

24 Nov 2023

Gerald Finley and Julius Drake bring Night and Day to London

By Mark Valencia

Loading image...

Sacred and profane in Guildhall School's Respighi double bill

By Susannah Moody, 06 November 2023

From the spiritual conversion of a Medieval sex-worker, to the Sleeping Beauty tale reimagined, Guildhall stages a Respighi double-bill.

***11

Loading image...

***11

London

06 Nov 2023

Sacred and profane in Guildhall School's Respighi double bill

By Susannah Moody

Loading image...

Seattle

Master of contrasts: Lang Lang excels in Saint-Saëns in Seattle

By Erica Miner, 29 September 2023

A manic 20th-century ride and a Technicolor showpiece bookend the astounding virtuosity of superstar pianist Lang Lang.

*****

Loading image...

*****

Seattle

29 Sep 2023

Master of contrasts: Lang Lang excels in Saint-Saëns in Seattle

By Erica Miner

Loading image...

Snape

Sally Beamish song cycle lights up Sinfonia of London's Aldeburgh Festival debut

By Roy Westbrook, 17 June 2023

A programme of orchestral showpieces are given the John Wilson treatment, although Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances disappoints.

***11

Loading image...

***11

Snape

17 Jun 2023

Sally Beamish lights up Sinfonia of London's Aldeburgh Festival debut

By Roy Westbrook

Loading image...

Sydney

Rachmaninov and Respighi: Sir Stephen Hough and John Wilson in Sydney

By David Larkin, 13 May 2023

The first programme in Stephen Hough's Sydney series sees him offer sensitive but not incandescent Rachmaninov, followed by thrilling performances of Respighi's Roman Trilogy under John Wilson.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Sydney

13 May 2023

Rachmaninov and Respighi: Sir Stephen Hough and John Wilson in Sydney

By David Larkin

Loading image...

Nightmares dressed as daydreams: Respighi and Ravel at the Royal College of Music

By Dominic Lowe, 13 March 2023

An opportunity to hear one of Respighi's operas in the UK is a real treat; the composer's take on Sleeping Beauty, La bella dormente nel bosco, is an ideal companion to to Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges in a terrific double bill at the Royal College of Music.

****1

Loading image...

****1

London

13 Mar 2023

Nightmares dressed as daydreams: Respighi and Ravel at the RCM

By Dominic Lowe

Loading image...

Stunning Szymanowski from Nicola Benedetti with the Hallé and Sir Mark Elder

By Peter Connors, 12 January 2023

Nicola Benedetti dazzled in Szymanowski's Violin Concerto no 2 after the Hallé and Sir Mark Elder had impressed with a colourful Fountains of Rome. Measured Brahms completed the programme.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Manchester

12 Jan 2023

Stunning Szymanowski from Nicola Benedetti with the Hallé

By Peter Connors

Loading image...

Joyous Saint-Saëns crowns the Belgian National Orchestra's Manchester visit

By Rohan Shotton, 07 November 2022

Roberto González-Monjas conducts the Belgian National Orchestra, joined by Paul Lewis, in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Manchester

07 Nov 2022

Saint-Saëns crowns the Belgian National Orchestra's Manchester visit

By Rohan Shotton

Loading image...

Home again! The New York Philharmonic moves into its new home at Lincoln Center

By Simon Thompson, 18 October 2022

Is the curse broken? Probably. The New York Philharmonic sound terrific in their first concerts in the newly rebuilt David Geffen Hall.

****1

Loading image...

****1

New York City

18 Oct 2022

Home again! The New York Philharmonic moves into its new home

By Simon Thompson

Loading image...

Edinburgh

Finally back indoors: a thrilling Edinburgh International Festival opening concert

By David Smythe, 06 August 2022

Sir Donald Runnicles led a vivid account of The Pines of Rome and an exciting yet thoughtful performance of Carmina Burana with three superb soloists.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Edinburgh

06 Aug 2022

Finally back indoors: a thrilling EIF opening concert

By David Smythe

Loading image...

Lenox

JoAnn Falletta and Joshua Bell refresh repertory staples at Tanglewood

By Kevin Wells, 06 August 2022

The superstar violinist transformed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto from a war horse back to the thoroughbred it once was.

****1

Loading image...

****1

Lenox

06 Aug 2022

JoAnn Falletta and Joshua Bell refresh repertory staples at Tanglewood

By Kevin Wells

Loading image...

Troubled Waters: glimmering Respighi and sparkling Dukas precede a murky Il tabarro

By Dominic Lowe, 30 July 2022

Mark Elder brought the Hallé down to the Royal Albert Hall for an interesting programme of Dukas, Respighi and Puccini.

***11

Loading image...

***11

London

30 Jul 2022

Glimmering Respighi, sparkling Dukas, a murky Il tabarro

By Dominic Lowe

Loading image...

Pappano takes no prisoners in Dallapiccola and Respighi

By Benjamin Poore, 05 June 2022

Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO offer a riveting account of Il prigioniero, an idiosyncratic 20th-century opera.

****1

Loading image...

****1

London

05 Jun 2022

Pappano takes no prisoners in Dallapiccola and Respighi

By Benjamin Poore

Loading image...

Belfast

Ciao Belfast! Daniele Rustioni’s Italian snapshots with the Ulster Orchestra

By Leighton Jones, 13 May 2022

Billed as “A Postcard from Italy”, Daniele Rustioni’s innovative vision sees a programme focused on a generation of 20th-century Italian composers, with formidable results.

*****

Loading image...

*****

Belfast

13 May 2022

Ciao Belfast! Daniele Rustioni’s Italian snapshots

By Leighton Jones

Edinburgh

Dalia Stasevska and the BBCSO take to the tent to launch the Edinburgh International Festival

By Simon Thompson, 07 August 2021

An evening of musical optimism launches the 2021 Edinburgh International Festival with a burst of light and colour.

*****

*****

Edinburgh

07 Aug 2021

Stasevska and the BBCSO launch the Edinburgh International Festival

By Simon Thompson

Seattle

Rare Respighi shines in Seattle Chamber Music Society online stream

By Erica Miner, 20 July 2021

After solo Bach, Alessio Bax joins string players for the Italian's Brahmsian Piano Quintet in F minor.

****1

****1

Seattle

20 Jul 2021

Rare Respighi shines in Seattle Chamber Music Society online stream

By Erica Miner

Liverpool

Jennifer Johnston shines in a Respighi rarity in Liverpool

By Peter Connors, 03 December 2020

Jennifer Johnston shone in Respighi's glorious Il tramonto and the RLPO showed off their solo skills in Ginastera's Variaciones concertantes.

****1

****1

Liverpool

03 Dec 2020

Jennifer Johnston shines in a Respighi rarity in Liverpool

By Peter Connors

Cleveland

The Cleveland Orchestra emerges triumphant after a six-month pause

By Timothy Robson, 15 October 2020

The familiar qualities of blend and precision were in evidence in familiar works by Respighi and Tchaikovsky, as well as George Walker's thorny but arresting Antifonys.

****1

****1

Cleveland

15 Oct 2020

The Cleveland Orchestra emerges triumphant after a six-month pause

By Timothy Robson

Painting with words: Anna Caterina Antonacci at Wigmore Hall

By Kevin W Ng, 18 February 2020

Antonacci brings a vibrant splash of colour to a rainy day in London in works by Respighi, Boulanger, Britten, and Poulenc

****1

****1

London

18 Feb 2020

Painting with words: Anna Caterina Antonacci at Wigmore Hall

By Kevin W Ng

Chicago Symphony ranges from insipid to extraordinary at Carnegie Hall

By David Wolfson, 15 November 2019

A sublime performance of Berlioz' La Mort de Cléopâtre by Joyce DiDonato, Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra overshadows the rest of a Rome-inspired concert at Carnegie Hall.

****1

****1

New York City

15 Nov 2019

Chicago Symphony ranges from insipid to extraordinary at Carnegie Hall

By David Wolfson

Barcelona

Compelling Respighi and Bartók, disappointing Brahms from Ono and the OBC

By David Karlin, 05 October 2019

It's a game of two halves in Barcelona from Kazushi Ono and the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya.

***11

***11

Barcelona

05 Oct 2019

Ono/OBC: Compelling Respighi and Bartók, disappointing Brahms

By David Karlin

Cleveland

A colorful travelogue from Roberto Plano in Cleveland recital

By Sam Jacobson, 08 June 2019

Roberto Plano offered a colorfully diverse selection of solo pieces before joining forces with Cleveland Orchestra members for Brahms' Piano Quintet.

***11

***11

Cleveland

08 Jun 2019

A colorful travelogue from Roberto Plano in Cleveland recital

By Sam Jacobson

Belgrade

Exciting and uplifting Respighi from the Belgrade Philharmonic and Gabriel Feltz

By Peter Connors, 24 May 2019

Two colourful, atmospheric and evocative pieces by Respighi contrasted with a Bach Piano Concerto with Eric Le Sage.

****1

****1

Belgrade

24 May 2019

Exciting and uplifting Respighi from the Belgrade Phil and Feltz

By Peter Connors

Musical painting from Marianne Crebassa, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia

By Kevin W Ng, 28 February 2019

Marianne Crebassa and Esa-Pekka Salonen take the audience on a dazzling musical journey from Rome to Asia.

****1

****1

London

28 Feb 2019

Musical painting from Marianne Crebassa and the Philharmonia

By Kevin W Ng

Nicky Spence and Roger Vignoles: a rapturous seasonal concert at Wigmore Hall

By Mark Valencia, 28 December 2018

The tone was set for a shrewdly programmed hour of contrasts.

*****

*****

London

28 Dec 2018

Nicky Spence and Roger Vignoles: a rapturous seasonal concert

By Mark Valencia

Philadelphia

DiDonato shines with Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Susan Gould, 09 November 2018

Nézet-Séguin leads Philadelphians and Joyce DiDonato in superb performances of Wagner, Bates, Chausson and Respighi.

*****

*****

Philadelphia

09 Nov 2018

DiDonato shines with Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Susan Gould

Birmingham

Chauhan takes CBSO from shaky start to triumphant finale

By Robert Gainer, 27 September 2018

Conductor Alpesh Chauhan and pianist Pavel Kolesnikov returned to Birmingham with an Italian themed programme. Could they build on the success of their previous performances with the CBSO?

***11

***11

Birmingham

27 Sep 2018

Chauhan takes CBSO from shaky start to triumphant finale

By Robert Gainer

Titanic Sibelius opens the BBC Philharmonic season

By Rohan Shotton, 22 September 2018

The BBC Philharmonic open their season in Manchester with some exciting new ideas

****1

****1

Manchester

22 Sep 2018

Titanic Sibelius opens the BBC Philharmonic season

By Rohan Shotton

Prom 37: Saluti da Roma as Pappano conducts Bernstein and Mahler

By Alexander Hall, 10 August 2018

Sir Antonio Pappano and his Santa Cecilia Orchestra display their collective strengths in first symphonies by Bernstein and Mahler.

****1

****1

London

10 Aug 2018

Saluti da Roma as Pappano conducts Bernstein and Mahler

By Alexander Hall

Rotterdam

Yannick Nézet-Séguin says au revoir to Rotterdam

By Jenny Camilleri, 09 June 2018

The Rotterdam Philharmonic marked their centenary with two concerts starring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. A bittersweet weekend, during which they also took leave of their beloved principal conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

*****

*****

Rotterdam

09 Jun 2018

Yannick Nézet-Séguin says au revoir to Rotterdam

By Jenny Camilleri

A vibrant Mediterranean tableau from Daniele Rustioni and Avi Avital

By Mark Thomas, 09 May 2018

The BBC Symphony Orchestra was on tip-top form, with the buoyant Daniele Rustioni and mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital conjuring up a fresco of genuine Mediterranean delights.

****1

****1

London

09 May 2018

A vibrant Mediterranean tableau from the BBCSO

By Mark Thomas

Lyon

Respighi rarity a riotous romp at Opéra de Lyon

By Jonathan Sutherland, 09 February 2018

L’Opéra de Lyon’s new production of Respighi’s La bella dormente nel bosco was an operatic pastiche with fairy tale fantasy and foxtrots thrown in for good measure.

***11

***11

Lyon

09 Feb 2018

Respighi rarity a riotous romp at Opéra de Lyon

By Jonathan Sutherland

Novel approaches to old favourites from Carlo Rizzi and The Hallé

By Rohan Shotton, 10 December 2017

Carlo Rizzi conducts The Hallé in a programme of inventive and thrilling approaches to Resoighi, Rachmaninov and Rossini at Bridgewater Hall.

****1

****1

Manchester

10 Dec 2017

Novel approaches to old favourites

By Rohan Shotton

Autumnal bacchanale as Marx’s Herbstsymphonie is given UK première

By Mark Pullinger, 29 November 2017

In the last week, the LPO has been on a journey through the seasons. Tonight, it was mists and mellow fruitfulness, courtesy of rarities by Respighi and Marx.

*****

*****

London

29 Nov 2017

Autumnal bacchanale from the LPO

By Mark Pullinger

St Andrews

Olari Elts and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra explore music drawn from nature

By David Smythe, 01 November 2017

Vasks’ Viola Concerto receives its Scottish première with Maxim Rysanov and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as they explore music and nature in the Baltic, Rome and America.

****1

****1

St Andrews

01 Nov 2017

SCO explore music drawn from nature

By David Smythe

A glorious return to Carnegie Hall for Martha Argerich

By Jennifer Gersten, 20 October 2017

After a nine-year absence, Martha Argerich returned to Carnegie Hall with stunning Prokofiev with the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

****1

****1

New York City

20 Oct 2017

A glorious return to Carnegie for Martha Argerich

By Jennifer Gersten

Cleveland

An Italian journey for Cleveland Orchestra gala

By Sam Jacobson, 07 October 2017

For The Cleveland Orchestra’s gala concert, music director Franz Welser-Möst offered a crowd-pleasing program of works inspired by Italy.

***11

***11

Cleveland

07 Oct 2017

An Italian journey for Cleveland Orchestra gala

By Sam Jacobson

Prom 54: Rome trumps Vienna for Chailly and the Filarmonica della Scala

By David Karlin, 25 August 2017

Riccardo Chailly and the Filarmonica della Scala give a wonderful account of two of Respighi's travelogues; Leonidas Kavakos plays Brahms with refinement – perhaps too much so for the Albert Hall.

***11

***11

London

25 Aug 2017

Prom 54: Rome trumps Vienna for Chailly and the Filarmonica della Scala

By David Karlin