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Kevin W Ng

Kevin W Ng

Kevin writes about music and culture, with a focus on opera. Originally trained as a violinist, he has a particular interest in 20th-century music. He is currently based in New York City.

Auteur:Kevin W Ng

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Nicky Spence in Peter Grimes © Dafydd Owen

The singing actor: Nicky Spence

Par Kevin W Ng, 30 juin 2026

This year celebrated Scottish tenor Nicky Spence returns to the BBC Proms to perform in Oberon – and at the Last Night. But how does he feel about all the flag-waving?

Nicky Spence in Peter Grimes © Dafydd Owen

The singing actor: Nicky Spence

Anne Sofie von Otter © Ewa-Marie Rundquist

From Paris to Weimar with Anne Sofie von Otter

Par Kevin W Ng, 17 avril 2026

Ahead of an appearance at London’s Cadogan Hall, the Swedish mezzo-soprano talks about her love for French and German song, and combining intimate performances with opera singing on a much larger scale.

Anne Sofie von Otter © Ewa-Marie Rundquist

From Paris to Weimar with Anne Sofie von Otter

James Gaffigan © Mikel Ponce

Man for all seasons: James Gaffigan goes transatlantic

Par Kevin W Ng, 06 février 2026

With a contract at Berlin’s Komische Oper extended to 2030, conductor James Gaffigan is soon to take up the music directorship at Houston Grand Opera from 2027. We talk about how he does it all...

James Gaffigan © Mikel Ponce

Man for all seasons: James Gaffigan goes transatlantic

Mark Ravenhill © bec.photography | @becphoto

Bleeding and dancing: Mark Ravenhill gets his teeth into Salome

Par Kevin W Ng, 05 février 2026

The trailblaizing playwright makes a return to the operatic stage to direct a new production of Strauss’ Salome with Regents Opera – held in an old boxing venue, an apt location given the opera’s bloody subject...

Mark Ravenhill © bec.photography | @becphoto

Bleeding and dancing: Mark Ravenhill gets his teeth into Salome

Monster's Paradise at Staatsoper Hamburg © Tanja Dorendorf

Vampires, Disney and Donald Trump: Monster’s Paradise in Hamburg

Par Kevin W Ng, 01 février 2026

Olga Neuwirth and Elfriede Jelinek take on Donald Trump in their latest operatic collaboration.

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Monster's Paradise at Staatsoper Hamburg © Tanja Dorendorf

Vampires, Disney and Donald Trump: Monster’s Paradise in Hamburg

Nadine Sierra © Gregor Hohenberg

Beyond the fever dream: Nadine Sierra reclaims her narrative

Par Kevin W Ng, 08 novembre 2025

Fresh out of her triumphant appearance in La sonnambula at the Met, soprano Nadine Sierra talks about being on a turning point in her career.

Nadine Sierra © Gregor Hohenberg

Nadine Sierra reclaims her narrative

Yongzhao Yu (Duke of Mantua) and ensemble © Emily Cooper

Rigoletto goes to Victorian London in Vancouver Opera's season opener

Par Kevin W Ng, 30 octobre 2025

Sarah Dufresne shines as Gilda in Glynis Leyshon’s gloomy staging of Rigoletto, set in Victorian London.

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Yongzhao Yu (Duke of Mantua) and ensemble © Emily Cooper

Rigoletto goes to London in Vancouver Opera's season opener

Nathaniel Sullivan (Jochanaan) and Summer Hassan (Salome) © Andrew Boyle

Shockingly good fun: Heartbeat Opera’s Salome

Par Kevin W Ng, 11 février 2025

Heartbeat Opera’s chamber Salome marries musical ingenuity with dramatic clarity at The Space at Irondale.

*****

Nathaniel Sullivan (Jochanaan) and Summer Hassan (Salome) © Andrew Boyle

Shockingly good fun: Heartbeat Opera’s Salome

Dmytro Popov (Rodolfo) and Ailyn Pérez (Mimì) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Ailyn Pérez dominates the Met's Bohème

Par Kevin W Ng, 16 novembre 2024

The soprano's sumptuous Mimì is the main reason to catch the latest revival of Zeffirelli's La bohème at the Met.

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Dmytro Popov (Rodolfo) and Ailyn Pérez (Mimì) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Ailyn Pérez dominates the Met's Bohème

Greer Grimsley (Commander), Emily D'Angelo (Jess) and Ben Bliss (Eric) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded fails to take flight at the Metropolitan Opera

Par Kevin W Ng, 23 septembre 2024

A star-making turn from Emily D'Angelo can't rescue Jeanine Tesori's uninspiring new opera with which the Met opens its new season.

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Greer Grimsley (Commander), Emily D'Angelo (Jess) and Ben Bliss (Eric) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded fails to take flight at the Met

Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the New York Philharmonic © Chris Lee

New beginnings: Michael Tilson Thomas opens NY Phil season with Mahler 5

Par Kevin W Ng, 12 septembre 2024

Michael Tilson Thomas' energy and wisdom remain undimmed in the New York Philharmonic's season opener.

*****

Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the New York Philharmonic © Chris Lee

New beginnings: Michael Tilson Thomas opens NY Phil season with Mahler

Asmik Grigorian (Cio-Cio-San) © Jonathan Tichler | Met Opera

All about Asmik: Grigorian debuts at the Met in Madama Butterfly

Par Kevin W Ng, 30 avril 2024

Asmik Grigorian's astonishing acting and subtle vocalism make for a promising Met debut in this revival of Anthony Minghella's lacquered staging.

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Asmik Grigorian (Cio-Cio-San) © Jonathan Tichler | Met Opera

All about Asmik: Grigorian debuts at the Met in Madama Butterfly

Clémentine Margaine (Carmen) and Michael Fabiano (Don José) © Nina Wurtzel | Met Opera

French flair, American-style: Carrie Cracknell's Carmen returns to the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 25 avril 2024

An excellent cast led by Clémentine Margaine livens up the first revival of Carrie Cracknell's all-American Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera.

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Clémentine Margaine (Carmen) and Michael Fabiano (Don José) © Nina Wurtzel | Met Opera

French flair, American-style: Cracknell's Carmen returns to the Met

Roy Hage (Lensky) and Edwin Joseph (Onegin) © Russ Rowland

Queer longing: Heartbeat Opera's bold Onegin

Par Kevin W Ng, 04 avril 2024

A strong young cast heads Dustin Wills' reimagining of Eugene Onegin for New York's most innovative opera company, Heartbeat Opera.

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Roy Hage (Lensky) and Edwin Joseph (Onegin) © Russ Rowland

Queer longing: Heartbeat Opera's bold Onegin

Nadine Sierra (Juliette) and Benjamin Bernheim (Roméo) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Bernheim and Sierra shine as Gounod's star-cross'd lovers at the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 07 mars 2024

Benjamin Bernheim and Nadine Sierra are a must-see pairing in the Met's revival of Bartlett Sher's production of Roméo et Juliette.

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Nadine Sierra (Juliette) and Benjamin Bernheim (Roméo) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Bernheim and Sierra shine as Gounod's star-cross'd lovers at the Met

Elena Pankratova (Turandot) and SeokJong Baek (Calaf) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Oksana Lyniv triumphs in her Met debut in Turandot revival

Par Kevin W Ng, 28 février 2024

The Ukrainian conductor heads an impressively cast revival of Franco Zeffirelli's gaudy Turandot.

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Elena Pankratova (Turandot) and SeokJong Baek (Calaf) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Oksana Lyniv triumphs in her Met debut in Turandot revival

Andreas Schager (Tannhäuser( and Ekaterina Gubanova (Venus) © Evan Zimmerman | Met Opera

Otto Schenk's Tannhäuser returns to the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 03 décembre 2023

Andreas Schager is the main reason to catch the latest revival of Otto Schenk's ultra-traditional Tannhäuser.

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Andreas Schager (Tannhäuser( and Ekaterina Gubanova (Venus) © Evan Zimmerman | Met Opera

Otto Schenk's Tannhäuser returns to the Met

Charles Castronovo (Gustavus III) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

The Met's Ballo falls flat in its latest revival

Par Kevin W Ng, 31 octobre 2023

An attractive supporting cast isn't sufficient to bring this revival of David Alden's Ballo in maschera to life in New York.

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Charles Castronovo (Gustavus III) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

The Met's Ballo falls flat in its latest revival

Federica Lombardi (Mimì) and Matthew Polenzani (Rodolfo) © Richard Termine | Met Opera

Federica Lombardi headlines the Met's latest Bohème revival

Par Kevin W Ng, 10 octobre 2023

Franco Zeffirelli's perennial Bohème returns for yet another revival, with Federica Lombardi's luminous Mimì the standout performance.

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Federica Lombardi (Mimì) and Matthew Polenzani (Rodolfo) © Richard Termine | Met Opera

Federica Lombardi headlines the Met's latest Bohème revival

Chelsea Lehnea (Paolina) and Santiago Ballerini (Poliuto) © Steven Pisano

Young stars shine in Teatro Nuovo's Poliuto

Par Kevin W Ng, 19 juillet 2023

Soprano Chelsea Lehnea is a revelation in a rare opportunity to see Donizetti's operatic take on the early Christian martyr Polyeuctus.

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Chelsea Lehnea (Paolina) and Santiago Ballerini (Poliuto) © Steven Pisano

Young stars shine in Teatro Nuovo's Poliuto

Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Mistress Quickly) and Michael Volle (Falstaff) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Belly laughs: Falstaff at the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 12 mars 2023

Michael Volle headlines a deluxe revival of Verdi's Falstaff in this revival of Robert Carsen's popular production.

*****

Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Mistress Quickly) and Michael Volle (Falstaff) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Belly laughs: Falstaff at the Met

Klaus Mäkelä © Marco Borggreve

The natural: Klaus Mäkelä

Par Kevin W Ng, 02 mars 2023

Wunderkind conductor Klaus Mäkelä explains his love for the Orchestre de Paris, for Rachmaninov, and how not to get emotionally drained conducting Shostakovich.

Klaus Mäkelä © Marco Borggreve

The natural: Klaus Mäkelä

Günther Groissböck (Heinrich) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Girard's new Lohengrin: old-fashioned Wagner makes a return to the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 26 février 2023

The Met's new Lohengrin descends into old-fashioned hilarity, despite an excellent cast.

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Günther Groissböck (Heinrich) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Girard's Lohengrin: old-fashioned Wagner makes a return to the Met

Sonya Yoncheva (Fedora) and Piotr Beczała (Count Loris) © Ken Koward | Met Opera

Guilty pleasures: Yoncheva and Beczała star in a new Fedora at the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 04 janvier 2023

There are plenty of vocal thrills in Sir David McVicar's new production of Giordano's revenge thriller at the Metropolitan Opera.

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Sonya Yoncheva (Fedora) and Piotr Beczała (Count Loris) © Ken Koward | Met Opera

Guilty pleasures: Yoncheva stars in a new Fedora at the Met

Michelle Bradley (Aida) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

Tomb Raider: Sonja Frisell’s Aida exhumed one last time at the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 13 décembre 2022

A loud, unsubtle performance of a loud, unsubtle production – the Met really deserves a new Aida.

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Michelle Bradley (Aida) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

Tomb Raider: Sonja Frisell’s Aida exhumed one last time at the Met

Klaus Mäkelä conducts the New York Philharmonic © Chris Lee

All about Klaus: Mäkelä debuts with the NY Phil

Par Kevin W Ng, 08 décembre 2022

Klaus Mäkelä's transparent, tragic Tchaikovsky is the highlight of his auspicious debut with the NY Phil.

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Klaus Mäkelä conducts the New York Philharmonic © Chris Lee

All about Klaus: Mäkelä debuts with the NY Phil

John Relyea (Sparafucile), Benjamin Bernheim (Duke of Mantua) and Aigul Akhmetshina (Maddalena) © Curtis Brown | Met Opera

A new cast brings the Met's Rigoletto to life

Par Kevin W Ng, 10 novembre 2022

Three major Metropolitan Opera debuts bring excitement and vocal glamour to this revival of Bartlett Sher's Rigoletto production.

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John Relyea (Sparafucile), Benjamin Bernheim (Duke of Mantua) and Aigul Akhmetshina (Maddalena) © Curtis Brown | Met Opera

A new cast brings the Met's Rigoletto to life

Nadine Sierra (Violetta) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Nadine Sierra: the next great Violetta?

Par Kevin W Ng, 01 novembre 2022

Nadine Sierra's thrilling Violetta deserves better than Michael Mayer's superficial production revived at the Metropolitan Opera.

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Nadine Sierra (Violetta) © Marty Sohl | Met Opera

Nadine Sierra: the next great Violetta?

Aleksandra Kurzak (Tosca) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Kurzak and Fabiano star in a fresh, lyrical Tosca at the Met

Par Kevin W Ng, 04 octobre 2022

Aleksandra Kurzak's lyrical Tosca brings out the woman behind the caricature in this revival of Sir David McVicar's lavish production.

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Aleksandra Kurzak (Tosca) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Kurzak and Fabiano star in a fresh, lyrical Tosca at the Met

Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1915 © Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust

Fight or flight? Violinists on tackling Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending

Par Kevin W Ng, 05 octobre 2022

Often dismissed on account of its popularity, The Lark Ascending divides audiences... and players. Our own Kevin Ng is a violinist and avoided it for years, but took advice from three violinists when adding it to his repertoire.

Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1915 © Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust

Fight or flight? Violinists on tackling The Lark Ascending

Michael Spyres (Idomeneo) and Kate Lindsey (Idamante) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Coloratura fireworks at the Met's Idomeneo

Par Kevin W Ng, 28 septembre 2022

A luxuriously-cast revival takes a staid production of Mozart's Idomeneo to new, exciting heights.

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Michael Spyres (Idomeneo) and Kate Lindsey (Idamante) © Karen Almond | Met Opera

Coloratura fireworks at the Met's Idomeneo

Maria Marica © Alex Damian

“I'll never forget it”: Violinist Maria Marica

Par Kevin W Ng, 28 septembre 2022

The winner of this year's George Enescu International Violin Competition talks to us about an unforgettable experience and its impact.

Maria Marica © Alex Damian

“I'll never forget it”: Violinist Maria Marica

Maxim Vengerov © IDAGIO | Diago Mariotta Mendez

Maxim Vengerov: on stage with friends to celebrate 40 years of music

Par Kevin W Ng, 08 juillet 2022

On the occasion of his upcoming 40th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall, the violinist gives us a taste of what to expect on stage and reflects on his long career.

Maxim Vengerov © IDAGIO | Diago Mariotta Mendez

Maxim Vengerov: celebrating 40 years of music

Death Becomes Her: Floris Visser's new Bohème at Glyndebourne

Par Kevin W Ng, 18 juin 2022

An ideal young cast and a thoughtful production bring fresh perspectives to Puccini's tragedy.

*****

Death Becomes Her: Floris Visser's new Bohème at Glyndebourne

An icy Eugene Onegin at Opera Holland Park

Par Kevin W Ng, 31 mai 2022

Julia Burbach's new production lacks poetry in spite of an admirable cast led by Samuel Dale Johnson in the title role.

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An icy Eugene Onegin at Opera Holland Park

Darkness and light: Equilbey's period Fidelio in concert

Par Kevin W Ng, 11 mai 2022

Laurence Equilbey makes a convincing case for a younger, fresher Fidelio played on period instruments.

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Darkness and light: Equilbey's period Fidelio in concert

Estonian women composers

A listening journey in six steps: contemporary women composers in Estonia

Par Kevin W Ng, 08 avril 2022

We learn more about six amongst the many interesting women composers active today in Estonia.

Estonian women composers

Six contemporary women composers in Estonia

Shall we dance? Barbara Hannigan and the LSO in Copland, Offenbach and Weill

Par Kevin W Ng, 17 février 2022

Barbara Hannigan conducts the LSO at the Barbican in an eclectic programme full of exuberant flair.

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Shall we dance? Barbara Hannigan and the LSO strut their stuff

Baroque thrills: Irish National Opera presents Vivaldi's Bajazet at Covent Garden

Par Kevin W Ng, 04 février 2022

In its Royal Opera House debut, Irish National Opera's high-energy Bajazet provides a great evening for Baroque fans and sceptics alike.

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Baroque thrills: Vivaldi's Bajazet comes to Covent Garden

Chilly revival of Jonathan Miller's Bohème at English National Opera

Par Kevin W Ng, 02 février 2022

A well-sung revival of Jonathan Miller's Bohème at the coliseum fails to catch fire.

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Chilly revival of Jonathan Miller's Bohème at ENO

A starry cast for Handel's Theodora in Paris

Par Kevin W Ng, 22 novembre 2021

It’s hard to imagine more glorious vocalism from such a starry cast, but this Theodora at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées falls short of the sublime.

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A starry cast for Handel's Theodora in Paris

Francfort-sur-le-Main

It's party time onstage: Carl Nielsen's Maskarade at Oper Frankfurt

Par Kevin W Ng, 20 novembre 2021

Carl Nielsen's Maskarade makes a welcome rare appearance, with a great time had by everyone onstage and off.

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Francfort-sur-le-Main

It's party time onstage: Carl Nielsen's Maskarade at Oper Frankfurt

Black Swan: Barbara Hannigan returns in Warlikowski's Lulu at La Monnaie

Par Kevin W Ng, 18 novembre 2021

Barbara Hannigan is better than ever in Krzysztof Warlikowski's iconic Lulu at La Monnaie – an historic event.

*****

Black Swan: Barbara Hannigan returns in Warlikowski's Lulu

Something old, something new: Joyce DiDonato and Craig Terry at the Barbican

Par Kevin W Ng, 26 octobre 2021

Joyce DiDonato and Craig Terry present a wide-ranging exploration of isolation and reunion, from Baroque to jazz.

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Something old, something new: Joyce DiDonato at the Barbican

The present and the future of opera: JPYA summer performance at Covent Garden

Par Kevin W Ng, 17 juillet 2021

The Jette Parker Young Artists take on their most ambitious programme yet, showcasing some of the most promising Verdian voices of the future.

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The present and the future of opera: JPYA summer performance

Pared-down Puccini: The Royal Opera's La bohème gains new urgency

Par Kevin W Ng, 23 juin 2021

A uniformly excellent ensemble enlivens the Royal Opera House's latest Bohème revival.

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Pared-down Puccini: The Royal Opera's La bohème gains new urgency

Hans Christian Aavik © Kaupo Kikkas

Young Artists To Watch: Hans Christian Aavik – Finding the meaning in every note

Par Kevin W Ng, 15 janvier 2021

Estonian violinist Hans Christian Aavik wants to connect not only with the music but also with fellow musicians, to get inspired and explore the world behind every piece.

Hans Christian Aavik © Kaupo Kikkas

Hans Christian Aavik: Finding the meaning in every note

From the sublime to the surreal: Louise Alder returns to Wigmore Hall

Par Kevin W Ng, 09 octobre 2020

Louise Alder and Roger Vignoles offer French charm in their return to Wigmore Hall.

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From the sublime to the surreal: Louise Alder returns to Wigmore Hall

Susanna Hurrell's Queen Cleopatra reigns in English Touring Opera's Giulio Cesare

Par Kevin W Ng, 07 mars 2020

James Conway's production for English Touring Opera returns in a trimmed-down, single-evening guise.

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Hurrell's Cleopatra reigns in English Touring Opera's Giulio Cesare

Painting with words: Anna Caterina Antonacci at Wigmore Hall

Par Kevin W Ng, 18 février 2020

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

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Painting with words: Anna Caterina Antonacci at Wigmore Hall