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An historical affair: a new Khovanshchina at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden

By Elena Luporini, 02 June 2024

With Claus Guth directing and Simone Young on the podium, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden's new production of Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina proves that the past isn't really past.

****1

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****1

Berlin

04 Jun 2024

An historical affair: Khovanshchina at the Staatsoper Berlin

By Elena Luporini

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London

Tim Albery's Tannhäuser gets a second revival at the Royal Opera House

By Mark Valencia, 29 January 2023

Albery's production allows the opera to speak for itself, although sluggish pacing in the pit detract from the musical merits of this revival.

***11

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***11

London

31 Jan 2023

Tim Albery's Tannhäuser gets a second revival at the ROH

By Mark Valencia

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Salzburg

Bartók's Bluebeard as psychothriller in Castellucci's mismatched Salzburg Festival double bill

By George Jahn, 02 August 2022

Romeo Castellucci's intense production of Bartók's opera reaps its rewards in the performance under Teodor Currentzis, but Carl Orff's opera-oratorio De temporum fine comoedia feels little more than a drab filler.

***11

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***11

Salzburg

04 Aug 2022

Bluebeard as psychothriller in Castellucci's mismatched double bill

By George Jahn

Salzburg

A hole in the heart: Salzburg Festival’s new Don Giovanni

By Hugo Shirley, 04 August 2021

The pairing of controversial director and bad-boy conductor brings some thrills but the Salzburg Festival's new Don Giovanni proves disappointingly uninvolving.

***11

***11

Salzburg

06 Aug 2021

A hole in the heart: Salzburg Festival’s new Don Giovanni

By Hugo Shirley

Munich

Super stars: musical riches in Munich's new Tristan und Isolde

By Hugo Shirley, 29 June 2021

The Bayerische Staatsoper's new Tristan und Isolde, featuring two stellar role debuts, is scenically disappointing but musically superb.

****1

****1

Munich

01 Jul 2021

Super stars: musical riches in Munich's new Tristan und Isolde

By Hugo Shirley

Munich

Sometimes a flute is just a flute: Everding’s classic production of Die Zauberflöte in Munich

By Laura Servidei, 06 February 2020

The Bayerische Staatsoper revives once again a beloved production, with a first rate cast.

****1

****1

Munich

08 Feb 2020

Sometimes a flute is just a flute: Die Zauberflöte in Munich

By Laura Servidei

Madrid

Don Carlo doesn't find his place in Madrid

By Fernando Remiro, 21 September 2019

Sir David McVicar's unassuming production fails to engage with the political side of Verdi's masterpiece, despite good conducting by Nicola Luisotti and some good singing by a solid cast.

***11

***11

Madrid

23 Sep 2019

Don Carlo doesn't find his place in Madrid

By Fernando Remiro

London

Prom 43: The very new and the once new as Oramo and the BBC SO redefine tradition

By Alexander Hall, 19 August 2019

What to put with Beethoven's greatest statement on the universality of the human spirit? The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Sakari Oramo, Neil Ferris and Andreas Haefliger make a case for renewal.

***11

***11

London

20 Aug 2019

Prom 43: Oramo and the BBC SO redefine tradition

By Alexander Hall

Lausanne

Over the top and splendid: a “Zeffirellian” Anna Bolena in Lausanne

By Laura Servidei, 03 February 2019

Donizetti’s masterpiece finally debuts in Lausanne, with a traditional, luxurious production and a solid cast of young singers.

***11

***11

Lausanne

05 Feb 2019

A “Zeffirellian” Anna Bolena in Lausanne

By Laura Servidei

Munich

Clash of religions, ardent spirits: Bellini’s Norma in Munich

By Sarah Batschelet, 12 January 2019

While Bellini’s two-act opera Norma underscores the religious wars between the ancient Druids and Romans, it also highlights an emotive personal conflict that is veiled in deceit and cultural discrepancy.

****1

****1

Munich

14 Jan 2019

Clash of religions, ardent spirits: Bellini’s Norma in Munich

By Sarah Batschelet

Munich

Great success for Gimadieva and Flórez in Munich's Lucia di Lammermoor

By Laura Servidei, 13 May 2018

Juan Diego Flórez and Venera Gimadieva charm as the young unlucky couple, and convince with their vocal performances in Wysocka’s production at the Bayerische Staatsoper.

****1

****1

Munich

14 May 2018

Great success for Gimadieva and Flórez in Lucia

By Laura Servidei

London

Roderick Williams’ charming birdcatcher leads a spirited revival of The Magic Flute at Covent Garden

By Mark Pullinger, 14 September 2017

In Thomas Guthrie’s revival of Sir David McVicar’s sober 2003 production of Mozart’s Singspiel, it was the pantomime elements of the show which registered strongly.

****1

****1

London

15 Sep 2017

A spirited revival of The Magic Flute at Covent Garden

By Mark Pullinger

Savonlinna

McVicar brings his inimitable vision of Rigoletto to the Savonlinna Festival

By Dominic Lowe, 10 July 2017

David McVicar's production may divide audiences with its no holds barred approach to the debauchery of the court of Mantua, but is well worth seeing for the Gilda of Tuuli Takala.

****1

****1

Savonlinna

12 Jul 2017

McVicar 's Rigoletto travels to the Savonlinna Festival

By Dominic Lowe

Stockholm

A majestic Boris Godunov at the Konserthuset in Stockholm

By Laura Servidei, 08 March 2017

The Stockholm Concert Hall hosts the Göteborg Symphonic Orchestra and Opera Chorus for a concert performance of Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov.

****1

****1

Stockholm

10 Mar 2017

A majestic Boris Godunov in Stockholm

By Laura Servidei

Amsterdam

Total theatre: Don Giovanni at Dutch National Opera

By Jenny Camilleri, 07 May 2016

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra was in glittering form, while strong singing and acting enhanced each other in the evocative woodland of Claus Guth’s Don Giovanni.

****1

****1

Amsterdam

08 May 2016

Total theatre: Don Giovanni at Dutch National Opera

By Jenny Camilleri

Munich

Norma in Munich: dramatically solid but musically uninspiring

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 13 June 2015

A good staging and good acting aren't enough to make up for musical shortcomings of the Bayerische Staatsoper's Norma.

**111

**111

Munich

14 Jun 2015

Norma in Munich: dramatically solid but musically uninspiring

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz