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

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A lively Barber of Seville in State Opera of South Australia's new home

By Sandra Bowdler, 11 November 2021

This sparkling successful production of Rossini's popular masterpiece delights the crowd on its opening at the new home for opera in Adelaide.

****1

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****1

Adelaide

11 Nov 2021

The Barber of Seville in State Opera of South Australia's new home

By Sandra Bowdler

Adelaide

Revenge, murder and cannibalism: Adelaide Sweeney Todd has legs

By Brian Angus, 08 May 2021

Stuart Maunder's much-travelled staging of Sondheim's classic arrives at the State Opera of South Australia, starring Ben Mingay and Antoinette Halloran in the leads.

****1

****1

Adelaide

08 May 2021

Revenge, murder and cannibalism: Adelaide Sweeney Todd has legs

By Brian Angus

Adelaide

A stunning Midsummer Night's Dream for the Adelaide Festival

By Sandra Bowdler, 26 February 2021

Neil Armfield's enchanting production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream finally comes to Australia as the centrepiece of the 2021 Adelaide Festival, making a virtue of necessity with its astute casting of Australian talent.

*****

*****

Adelaide

26 Feb 2021

A stunning Midsummer Night's Dream for the Adelaide Festival

By Sandra Bowdler

Adelaide

A beautiful, relevant Madama Butterfly arrives in Adelaide

By Brian Angus, 14 November 2019

The State Opera of South Australia launch a beautifully sung, dramatically performed Madama Butterfly conveying a powerfully confrontational telling of the opera.

*****

*****

Adelaide

14 Nov 2019

A beautiful, relevant Madama Butterfly arrives in Adelaide

By Brian Angus

Adelaide

To sing or not to sing: Brett Dean's Hamlet in Adelaide

By Sandra Bowdler, 02 March 2018

Brett Dean's Hamlet is an extremely powerful theatrical experience, excelling in all aspects of production, singing and musical values, but is it an opera?

****1

****1

Adelaide

02 Mar 2018

To sing or not to sing: Hamlet in Adelaide

By Sandra Bowdler

Adelaide

What a contrast! Tragedy and comedy in a double bill in Adelaide

By Brian Angus, 31 August 2017

Manuel de Falla’s rarely performed La Vida Breve and Giacomo Puccini’s comic Gianni Schicchi are quite contrasting mini-operas, united by common threads of deception and the clash of class distinction.

****1

****1

Adelaide

31 Aug 2017

Tragedy and comedy in a double bill in Adelaide

By Brian Angus

Adelaide

Quality performances of Cav and Pag open State Opera of South Australia’s season

By Brian Angus, 20 April 2017

A remarkable performance for State Opera of South Australia from Rosario La Spina as Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana and Canio in Pagliacci was evidence of the brilliant tenor he has become.

***11

***11

Adelaide

20 Apr 2017

Quality performances of Cav and Pag

By Brian Angus

Adelaide

‘Love evolved’ in Puccini Spectacular in Adelaide

By Brian Angus, 02 September 2016

A great way to celebrate a 40th musical anniversary was to have some fun enjoying many beautiful arias from the pen of Giacomo Puccini.

***11

***11

Adelaide

02 Sep 2016

Puccini Spectacular in Adelaide

By Brian Angus

Adelaide

An amazing Verdi Requiem in Adelaide: can music really be so good?

By Brian Angus, 28 August 2015

A seamless combination of State Opera of South Australia and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra have created a Verdi Requiem the equal of which it would be hard to find.

*****

*****

Adelaide

28 Aug 2015

An amazing Verdi Requiem in Adelaide

By Brian Angus

Adelaide

Verdi remastered: Otello on the high seas

By Brian Angus, 30 October 2014

Imagine a 21st century aircraft carrier on station in the Middle East instead of a 15th century Cyprus garrison. And, surprise, surprise, it seems to fit the story even better!

****1

****1

Adelaide

30 Oct 2014

Verdi remastered: Otello on the high seas

By Brian Angus

Brisbane

A Perfect Masterpiece: Glass's The Perfect American in Brisbane

By Paul Selar, 20 September 2014

The Perfect American, a fictional account of the final months of Walt Disney’s life, is a visually rhythmic flow of scenic magic on a blended Glass base – gently but harrowingly absorbing.

*****

*****

Brisbane

20 Sep 2014

A Perfect Masterpiece: Glass's The Perfect American in Brisbane

By Paul Selar