Highly uplifting Missa solemnis at La Scala

By James Imam, 26 June 2017

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“What is it that Haitink does in rehearsals to draw such improbably inspired performances?”

Reviewed at Teatro alla Scala, Milan on 23 June 2017

Beethoven, Mass in D major, “Missa solemnis”, Op.123

Bernard Haitink, Conductor

Camilla Tilling, Soprano

Gerhild Romberger, Mezzo-soprano

Peter Sonn, Tenor

Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Baritone

Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala

Coro del Teatro alla Scala

Bruno Casoni, Choirmaster / chorus director

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Under Alexander Soddy’s powerful conducting and Sir David McVicar’s dark, evocative staging, the Ring finds a searing conclusion, anchored by a powerful Brünnhilde from Camilla Nylund, as the world burns.

*****

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*****

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Shostakovich's brutal tale of sex, murder and madness storms La Scala's opening night, with Riccardo Chailly leading his final season premiere as Music Director.

****1

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Alexander Soddy leads a great cast in a clever, supremely entertaining new production in Milan.

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Julie Fuchs and Juan Diego Flórez give life to the refreshing and funny take of Laurent Pelly’s classic production, under the baton of Evelino Pidò.

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James Imam

James Imam is an arts journalist writing for publications including The Financial Times, The Times, Musical America and Opera magazine. He grew up in Manchester, read anthropology at Cambridge and has since lived in Milan. As a once-aspiring countertenor he has an abiding interest in Baroque music.

Highly uplifting: Haitink conducts Beethoven's Missa solemnis at La Scala