Xian Zhang's triumphant return to The Hague

By Renée Reitsma, 31 May 2011

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Dr Anton Philipszaal, The Hague on 27 May 2011

Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture

Tchaikovsky, Souvenir d'un lieu cher: three pieces for violin with piano, Op.42 (orch. Lascae)

Rachmaninov, Symphony no. 2 in E minor, Op.27

Xian Zhang, Conductor

Residentie Orkest The Hague

Lucian-Leonard Raiciof, Violin

Michel van der Aa’s Theory of Flames: defining opera for a modern age

Clare Varney, 6th March

British singers Mary Bevan and Roderick Williams lead the cast in Dutch National Opera’s latest ground-breaking opera, merging live music with pre-recorded film and electronics.

****1

Residentie Orkest has a new story to tell at the Concertgebouw

Clare Varney, 24th August

Artist-in-Residence Bomsori Kim joins Jun Märkl for a new chapter in the history of the Residentie Orkest, The Hague.

***11

Venables We Are the Lucky Ones is the time to be alive at DNO

Eleanor Knight, 22nd March

Inspired by Annie Ernaux’s The Years, Philip Venables’ new opera widens the canvas to take in the whole of Europe’s postwar generation.

*****

Current and consoling: Willem Jeths’ Ritratto in Amsterdam

Michael Klier, 7th October

After a seven month delay, Willem Jeths' new opera finally receives its long awaited world premiere in front of a live audience.

****1

A monolithic Nabucco at Dutch National Opera

Jenny Camilleri, 27th January

A promising cast on paper is scuppered by a banal, monotonous production and uninspired conducting.

**111

Bob Wilson's cool minimalist Butterfly is back in Amsterdam

Nicolas Nguyen, 23rd April

Robert Wilson's Madama Butterfly is back in Amsterdam starring rising star Elena Stikhina as the doomed Cio-Cio-San.

***11

More reviews...

Renée Reitsma

Renée lives in Essex and is a PhD student in Philosophy. She loves all sorts of classical and non-classical music, but has a particular love for Dmitri Shostakovich. She is in charge of the Heavy Symphonic playlist at Dutch classical music site 24classics and blogs here.