A solid Solomon by Viva Voce at Auckland Town Hall

By Simon Holden, 19 November 2012

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Reviewed at Auckland Town Hall: Great Hall, Auckland on 18 November 2012

Handel, Solomon (semi-staged)

Viva Voce

John Rosser, Conductor

Sarah Castle, Solomon

Morag McDowell, Queen of Sheba

Emma Fraser, Queen of Sheba

Andrew Grenon, Zadok

Kieran Rayner, Levite

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Andrew Larkin, 22nd March

Netia Jones’ modern reimagining intrigues more than it convinces, but still makes a strong case for Dvořák’s dark fairy tale.

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Eugene Onegin returns to the Sydney Opera house in Kasper Holten’s slightly awkward production but the singing and orchestral playing are exemplary.

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Dominic Lowe, 16th March

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Simon Holden

Simon is an operaphile based in Auckland, New Zealand. He wrote his dissertation on Japanese popular music. With a background in piano and classical music retail, he spends his time attending as much opera or vocal concert as he can and blogs at irishenceaway.blogspot.com.