After his affectionate treatment of La fanciulla del West for ENO and his devastating Suor Angelica for the Royal Opera, Richard Jones’ new La bohème is disappointingly bland.
2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-09-12UTC22:51:06+00:002017-09-12After his affectionate treatment of La fanciulla del West for ENO and his devastating Suor Angelica for the Royal Opera, Richard Jones’ new La bohème is disappointingly bland.No moonlight, no magic: Richard Jones directs a vanilla Bohème for the Royal Operaen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-boheme-richard-jones-pappano-car-fabiano-kwiecien-royal-opera-september-2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngMark Pullingerhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15668https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15668https://bachtrack.com/files/218-1097_4423_markpullinger.jpgMark is one of Bachtrack’s editors and Chair of the Music Section of The Critics' Circle. An experienced opera critic, with a passion for Verdi, he can often be found propping up a standing place at the ROH. He also reviews concerts and dance, with a particular love for Russian and French repertoire. Mark contributes to Gramophone and Opera magazines and blogs at Beckmesser's Quill. https://bachtrack.com/files/67412-2803ashm-1346--nicole-car-and-mariusz-kwiecien---roh--photo-catherine-ashmore-resized.jpg510340Nicole Car (Mimì) and Mariusz Kwiecień (Marcello)ROH | Catherine Ashmore2017-Sep-11, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden: La bohèmehttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/royal-opera-house-covent-garden/la-boheme/11-september-2017/19-302017-09-112017-10-10Royal Opera House, Covent GardenLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomWC2E 9DDBow Street,
,Covent Garden51.513371-0.12239999999997http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/la-boheme-by-richard-jones?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/57341-royal-opera-house-logo.jpg3
2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-06-22UTC11:06:06+00:002017-06-21A visually stunning production with a fine cast to match. Don Giovanni: Into the abyss at the Liceuen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-don-giovanni-gran-teatre-del-liceu-kwiecien-pons-holten-june-2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngJohn Marten Barnardhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/24473https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/24473https://bachtrack.com/files/64067-john-marten-barnard.jpgJohn Barnard has lived and worked for over 25 years in Barcelona. Originally from Kent in England, after university graduation he decided on a radical change in lifestyle, taking the decision to become a corporate English language trainer in Spain. He became involved in the world of opera several years ago when he offered language training services in the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house in Barcelona. Since then has been a season ticket holder with his wife, attending opera on a regular basis in Spain and internationally.https://bachtrack.com/files/62246-4828-0121--a-bofill.jpg510340Julia Lezhneva (Zerlina) and chorusA. Bofill2017-Jun-19, Gran Teatre del Liceu: Don Giovannihttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/gran-teatre-del-liceu/don-giovanni/19-june-2017/20-002017-06-192017-07-02Gran Teatre del LiceuBarcelonaCataloniaSpain0800241.38033467229232.17395722866058http://www.liceubarcelona.cat/en/2016-2017-season/opera/don-giovanni?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/49503---bc20140128-don-giovanni-ro-678-production-image--c--cooper.jpg4
The evening was dominated by Anna Netrebko, who reprised the role of Tatiana with fresh insights and vocal charisma. Robin Ticciati led the Met Orchestra to probe a new depth of the score.
2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-03-31UTC09:58:22+00:002017-03-31The evening was dominated by Anna Netrebko, who reprised the role of Tatiana with fresh insights and vocal charisma. Robin Ticciati led the Met Orchestra to probe a new depth of the score.Netrebko a magnificent Tatyana in The Met's Oneginen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-eugene-onegin-ticciati-met-opera-march-2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngAko Imamurahttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/16328https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/16328https://bachtrack.com/files/251-ako_imamura.jpegAtsuko (Ako) Imamura is a retired investment banker in New York City. Born in Japan, she trained as cultural anthropologist in the US before turning to finance. She now spends her time attending opera and classical music concerts in New York and in Europe. Wagner is her favorite opera composer.https://bachtrack.com/files/56999-eugene-onegin-anna-netrebko-mariusz-kwiecien-met-opera-c-marty-sohl2-resized.jpg510340Anna Netrebko (Tatyana) and Mariusz Kwiecień (Onegin)Marty Sohl | Metropolitan Opera2017-Mar-30, Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House: Eugene Oneginhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/lincoln-center-metropolitan-opera-house/eugene-onegin/30-march-2017/19-302017-03-302017-04-22Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera HouseNew York CityNew YorkUnited States1002340.772270627753-73.983972072601http://www.metopera.org/Season/2016-17-Season/eugene-onegin-tchaikovsky-tickets/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/38525-met-opera-logo.jpg5
The finale was the dramatic and musical high of the night, when both Ana María Martínez and Mariusz Kwiecień let themselves cut loose, laying waste to the bare stage.
2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-03-02UTC11:14:14+00:002017-03-02The finale was the dramatic and musical high of the night, when both Ana María Martínez and Mariusz Kwiecień let themselves cut loose, laying waste to the bare stage.Minimalist Onegin on the Lyric Opera stageen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-eugene-onegin-kwiecien-martinez-carsen-lyric-opera-chicago-february-2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDan Wanghttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/2135https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/2135https://bachtrack.com/files/27231-dan_wang.jpgDan Wang is a graduate student in music history and theory at the University of Chicago.https://bachtrack.com/files/54451-mariusz-kwiecien-ana-maria-martinez-lyr170223-382-resized.jpg510340Mariusz Kwiecień (Onegin) and Ana María Martínez (Tatyana)Todd Rosenberg2017-Feb-26, Lyric Opera House: Eugene Oneginhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/lyric-opera-house/eugene-onegin/26-february-2017/19-302017-02-262017-03-20Lyric Opera HouseChicagoIllinoisUnited StatesIL6060641.88256625015544-87.63742983341217https://www.lyricopera.org/concertstickets/calendar/2016-2017/productions/lyricopera/eugene-onegin?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/41840-lyric-opera-chicago-logo.jpg3
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-06-15UTC10:02:20+00:002016-06-13A dream cast come true in Don Carlo at San Francisco Opera. Emilio Sagi's direction is the only weak link in this production.Don Carlo in San Francisco: musically perfect, dramatically lackingen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-don-carlo-pape-fabiano-kwiecien-san-francisco-june-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngIlana Walder-Biesanzhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/files/40610-ilana-walder-biesanz.jpgIlana Walder-Biesanz is a product manager for Yahoo, a theatre and opera critic, and a classically trained mezzo-soprano. She explored theater and opera stagings as a Gates Scholar at Cambridge and as a Fulbright Scholar in Germany. She currently writes for Bachtrack, San Francisco Classical Voice, and Stark Insider. Twitter: @ilana_wb.https://bachtrack.com/files/40892-don-carlo-fabiano-kwiecien-san-francisco-cory-weaver-resized.jpg510340Michael Fabiano (Don Carlo) and Mariusz Kwiecień (Rodrigo)Cory Weaver | San Francisco Opera2016-Jun-12, War Memorial Opera House: Don Carlohttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/war-memorial-opera-house/don-carlo/12-june-2016/13-002016-06-122016-06-29War Memorial Opera HouseSan FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States9410237.7792798539192-122.419227361679http://sfopera.com/configs1/CFS-Configurations/Non-Templated-Custom-Template-Pages/select-date/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.com&productionSeasonId=4226https://bachtrack.com/files/40312-san-francisco-opera-logo.jpg4
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-07-18UTC11:10:55+00:002016-03-29Sondra Radvanovsky tackles another Donizetti queen - Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux - at The Met. Radvanovsky tackles another Donizetti queen in The Met's Roberto Devereuxen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-roberto-devereux-mcvicar-radvanovsky-polenzani-met-opera-march-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngRobert Levinehttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/files/40604-bob-levine.jpgRobert T. Levine is a New York born-and-bred music writer with a particular interest in music for the voice. His work has appeared in many periodicals and newspapers. He is the author of many books, including The Story of the Orchestra, four volumes in the Black Dog & Leventhal Opera Library, and, most recently, Maria Callas: A Musical Biography.https://bachtrack.com/files/37143-roberto_devereux_polenzani_radvanovsky_met_opera_ken_howard_resized.jpg510357Matthew Polenzani (Devereux) and Sondra Radvanovsky (Elisabetta)Ken Howard | Metropolitan Opera2016-Mar-24, Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House: Roberto Devereuxhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/lincoln-center-metropolitan-opera-house/roberto-devereux/24-march-2016/20-002016-03-242016-04-19Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera HouseNew York CityNew YorkUnited States1002340.772270627753-73.983972072601http://www.metopera.org/Season/2015-16-Season/roberto-devereux-donizetti-tickets/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/38525-met-opera-logo.jpg4
Les Pêcheurs de Perles is a graceful if senseless piece, composed when Georges Bizet was only 25 years old and miles away from the psycho-musical drama of Carmen.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-01-13UTC16:55:36+00:002016-01-05Gorgeous trio of voices in Met Opera’s Pearl Fishersen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-pearl-fishers-damrau-polenzani-kwiecien-met-opera-new-york-january-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngRobert Levinehttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/files/40604-bob-levine.jpgRobert T. Levine is a New York born-and-bred music writer with a particular interest in music for the voice. His work has appeared in many periodicals and newspapers. He is the author of many books, including The Story of the Orchestra, four volumes in the Black Dog & Leventhal Opera Library, and, most recently, Maria Callas: A Musical Biography.https://bachtrack.com/files/32653-pearl_fishers_kwiecien_damrau_met_opera_ken_howard_resized.jpg510374Mariusz Kwiecień (Zurga) and Diana Damrau (Leïla)Ken Howard | Metropolitan Opera2015-Dec-31, Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House: Les pêcheurs de perleshttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/lincoln-center-metropolitan-opera-house/les-pecheurs-de-perles/31-december-2015/19-002015-12-312016-02-04Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera HouseNew York CityNew YorkUnited States1002340.772270627753-73.9839720726015
Kasper Holten’s production does an impressive job of exploring the concepts of Szymanowski's Król Roger – perhaps more psychologically than philosophically. It’s a production well worth exploring.
2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2015-05-02UTC09:29:43+00:002015-05-02Kasper Holten’s production does an impressive job of exploring the concepts of Szymanowski's Król Roger – perhaps more psychologically than philosophically. It’s a production well worth exploring.Exploring the inner levels of the mind: Szymanowski's Król Roger at the Royal Operaen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-krol-roger-holten-pappano-kwiecien-royal-opera-london-may-2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDavid Karlinhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/3https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/3https://bachtrack.com/files/40449-david-karlin.jpgDavid 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.https://bachtrack.com/files/9172-krol_roger_kwiecien_roh_bill_cooper.jpg300449Mariusz Kwiecień (Roger)Bill Cooper | ROH2015-May-01, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden: Król Rogerhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/royal-opera-house-covent-garden/krol-roger/01-may-2015/19-302015-05-012015-05-19Royal Opera House, Covent GardenLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomWC2E 9DDBow Street,
,Covent Garden51.513371-0.122399999999974
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-12-10UTC17:38:43+00:002014-12-10After a six week hiatus, the Metropolitan Opera's new Le nozze di Figaro has returned, with a new cast and conductor.A terrific early revival of the Metropolitan Opera's new Figaroen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-figaro-eyre-kwiecien-metropolitan-opera-december-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngRobert Levinehttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/files/40604-bob-levine.jpgRobert T. Levine is a New York born-and-bred music writer with a particular interest in music for the voice. His work has appeared in many periodicals and newspapers. He is the author of many books, including The Story of the Orchestra, four volumes in the Black Dog & Leventhal Opera Library, and, most recently, Maria Callas: A Musical Biography.https://bachtrack.com/files/7566-figaro_de_niese_kwiecien_ken_howard.jpg510361Danielle de Niese (Susanna) and Mariusz Kwiecień (Count Almaviva)Ken Howard | Metropolitan Opera2014-Sep-22, Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House: Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), K492https://bachtrack.com/listing-figaro-eyre-levine-metropolitan-opera2014-09-222014-12-20Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera HouseNew York CityNew YorkUnited States1002340.772270627753-73.983972072601http://www.metoperafamily.org/opera/le-nozze-di-figaro-mozart-tickets?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/16110-met_figaro.jpg4
This production's consistent visual beauty forms the setting for this Don’s musical approach. It is a testament to this ensemble that Mariusz Kwiecień can’t steal the show in spite of his utterly commanding physical and vocal presence as the Don.
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-10-10UTC08:32:45+00:002014-10-09This production's consistent visual beauty forms the setting for this Don’s musical approach. It is a testament to this ensemble that Mariusz Kwiecień can’t steal the show in spite of his utterly commanding physical and vocal presence as the Don.Kwiecień doesn't quite steal the show in Robert Falls' Don Giovannien_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-don-giovanni-kwiecien-chicago-october-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDan Wanghttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/2135https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/2135https://bachtrack.com/files/27231-dan_wang.jpgDan Wang is a graduate student in music history and theory at the University of Chicago.https://bachtrack.com/files/6859-marina_rebeka_todd_rosenberg.jpg510439Marina Rebeka (Donna Anna)Todd Rosenburg2014-Sep-27, Lyric Opera House: Don Giovannihttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/lyric-opera-house/don-giovanni/27-september-2014/14-002014-09-272014-10-29Lyric Opera HouseChicagoIllinoisUnited StatesIL6060641.88256625015544-87.637429833412173
There is much to enjoy in the Met’s revival of its almost 40 year old production of Bellini’s I Puritani although almost none of it is visual, with Olga Peretyatko and Lawrence Brownlee both fitting the bill.
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-05-01UTC08:21:49+00:002014-05-01There is much to enjoy in the Met’s revival of its almost 40 year old production of Bellini’s I Puritani although almost none of it is visual, with Olga Peretyatko and Lawrence Brownlee both fitting the bill. Strong leads in Met’s Puritani revivalen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-puritani-met-apr-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngRobert Levinehttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15724https://bachtrack.com/files/40604-bob-levine.jpgRobert T. Levine is a New York born-and-bred music writer with a particular interest in music for the voice. His work has appeared in many periodicals and newspapers. He is the author of many books, including The Story of the Orchestra, four volumes in the Black Dog & Leventhal Opera Library, and, most recently, Maria Callas: A Musical Biography.https://bachtrack.com/files/5117-puritani_olga_peretyatko_ken_howard.jpg275367Olga Peretyatko (Elvira)Ken Howard2014-Apr-17, Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House: I Puritanihttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/lincoln-center-metropolitan-opera-house/i-puritani/17-april-2014/19-302014-04-172014-05-10Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera HouseNew York CityNew YorkUnited States1002340.772270627753-73.983972072601http://www.metoperafamily.org/opera/i-puritani-bellini-tickets.aspx?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/12823-puritani_scene_6355_kh.jpg4
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-11-23UTC14:40:25+00:002016-11-22Dieter Dorns 1997er Inszenierung bietet gute Unterhaltung, kann aber mit dem Starensemble um Diana Damrau nicht mithalten.Mozart zum Zurücklehnen: unterhaltsamer Figaro an der Bayerischen Staatsoperde_DEtruehttps://bachtrack.com/kritik-nozze-di-figaro-damrau-brower-esposito-kwiecien-manacorda-bayerische-staatsoper-muenchen-november-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDavid Renkehttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/17212https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/17212https://bachtrack.com/files/282-autorenfoto.jpegDavid Renke, geboren in München, hat Musikwissenschaft an der Universität zu Köln studiert, wechselte dann zum Studiengang Medien und Kommunikation an die Universität Passau. Er spielt Klavier, Gitarre und ist als Sänger in verschiedenen Chören in Süddeutschland tätig. Sein Schwerpunkt liegt bei der Musik des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts.https://bachtrack.com/files/49223-le-nozze-di-figaro-d--damrau--m--kwiecien-c-wilfried-hosl.jpg510340Mariusz Kwiecień (Graf) und Diana Damrau (Gräfin)Wilfried Hösl | Bayerische Staatsoper2016-Nov-13, Nationaltheater: Le nozze di Figarohttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/nationaltheater-1927/le-nozze-di-figaro/13-november-2016/18-002016-11-132016-11-20NationaltheaterMunichBavariaGermany48.13976660697811.578522324562https://www.staatsoper.de/en/staatsoper/productioninfo/le-nozze-di-figaro/2016-11-13-18-00.htmlhttps://bachtrack.com/files/42134-24240-figaro-c--wilfried-hi-sl.jpg3
Die Bayerische Staatsoper sorgt mit Donizettis La Favorite für muskalische Höhepunkt, setzt dabei jedoch auf eine äußerst karge Inszenierung, die nicht restlos überzeugen kann.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-11-04UTC10:51:24+00:002016-11-03Die Bayerische Staatsoper sorgt mit Donizettis La Favorite für muskalische Höhepunkt, setzt dabei jedoch auf eine äußerst karge Inszenierung, die nicht restlos überzeugen kann.Bayerische Staatsoper zeigt Donizettis La Favorite mit subtiler Tristessede_DEtruehttps://bachtrack.com/kritik-favorite-elina-garanca-matthew-polenzani-mariusz-kwiecien-karel-mark-chichon-bayerische-staatsoper-oktober-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngNorman Schwarzehttps://bachtrack.com/files/48460-favorite-elina-garanca-leonor-matthew-polenzani-fernand-c-michael-hosl.jpg510340Elīna Garanča (Léonor) und Matthew Polenzani (Fernand)Wilfried Hösl | Bayerische Staatsoper2016-Oct-23, Nationaltheater: La Favoritehttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/nationaltheater-1927/la-favorite/23-october-2016/19-002016-10-232016-11-09NationaltheaterMunichBavariaGermany48.13976660697811.578522324562https://www.staatsoper.de/en/productioninfo/la-favorite/2016-10-23-19-00.htmlhttps://bachtrack.com/files/45432-premieren.jpg3
