“Vive la France!”: Gallic pride from La Verdi, Milan

By James Imam, 11 July 2015

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“Caetani possesses sparkle and a glint in the eye”

Reviewed at Auditorium di Milano Fondazione Cariplo, Milan on 9 July 2015

Campogrande, The Expo Variations: Francia (commissioned by La Verdi)

Strauss II, Wein, Weib und Gesang (Wine, Women and Song), Op.333

Ibert, Bacchanale

Cherubini, Les deux journées, ou Le porteur d'eau

Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique, Op.14

Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano

Oleg Caetani, Conductor

Stanislav Kochanovsky brings Russian passion to LaVerdi

Oliver Brett, 7th April

An exhilarating journey through three Russian suites with LaVerdi in Milan.

****1

LaVerdi and Xian Zhang usher spring into Milan

Oliver Brett, 1st April

Schumann, Goldmark and Malipiero feature in a seasonal programme in Milan.

****1

Youthful vigour and eclectic treats from La Verdi

James Imam, 25th September

If the orchestra's playing was marked by poise and balance, so was the programme taken in its entirety. The buoyancy that had prevailed to now brought out the darker hues of Schubert's “Unfinished” Symphony deliciously.

****1

A Russian portrait: Scriabin and Campogrande from La Verdi

James Imam, 5th June

La Verdi possessed the necessary bloom to portray Scriabin's rich colour scheme under former LSO Assistant Marius Stravinsky. At times, they were irresistible.

****1

All-embracing Weill and Mahler from Axelrod and La Verdi

James Imam, 24th April

This was raw Mahler at its most all-embracing. The musicians seemed to embrace the entire world. As an audience member made to leave the hall, Axelrod leant over the balustrade to shake his hand.

****1

Mostly sparkling Mozart from La Verdi

James Imam, 6th March

As a pianist, Mustonen failed to deliver as would have been hoped, though as a conductor his rapport with the orchestra bore delightful results.

****1

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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.