Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Berenice, che fai, Hob XXIVa:10, cantata for soprano & orchestra

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s latest concert, tipped for European touring next year, fails to convince.

Giovanni Antonini's colorful work with the Czech Philharmonic brightens a fervent performance by Magdalena Kožená.

Sometimes the programme just feels right: a dramatic cantata by Haydn, a “pantomime grotesque” by Bartók and Mahler's Fourth Symphony. Colour and contrasts galore from soloist, conductor and orchestra.

Mozart's Symphony no. 40 gets the chop, split into four movements interspersed with arias sung by Czech mezzo Magdalena Kožená. 

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment stalked the “Corridors of Power” in Prague and Esterházy for a fabulous evening of Classical drama. 

Prague’s classical music community is walking a little taller and prouder this week. Collegium 1704 stepped up on Saturday night with an 18th century opera program that offered an inspirational reminder of how period music can and should be played.

The buzz in the Concertgebouw was palpable for many minutes before the entrance of Cecilia Bartoli. It was one of those occasions when even an audience member who knew nothing of the artists could hardly have failed to anticipate something special. She did not disappoint.

Who better to direct an all-Haydn programme than Adam Fischer? Co-founder of the Haydn Festival, he also founded the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, who recorded the composer’s entire symphonic output in Haydn Hall of the Esterházy Palace, Eisenstadt, Haydn’s former place of employment.

On February 15th, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC proudly hosted a recital of the internationally acclaimed mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato and famous pianist David Zobel. Part of this season’s Star Series, the recital presented by Washington Performing Arts Society, was given in honor of Vocal Arts 20th Anniversary.