A terrifying Bluebeard's Castle and impromptu tribute at the BSO

Karen Cargill, Karina Canellakis and Nathan Berg

Alisa Weilerstein, Karina Canellakis and the Boston Symphony

By Cameron Kelsall, 11 February 2024

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“Canellakis built this castle into a cathedral of sound”

Reviewed at Symphony Hall, Boston on 9 February 2024

Bach, Air on a G String, from Orchestral Suite BWV1068

Haydn, Cello Concerto no. 1 in C major, Hob VIIb:1

Bartók, Duke Bluebeard's Castle (Concert performance)

Karina Canellakis, Conductor

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Nathan Berg, Bluebeard

Karen Cargill, Judith

Jeremiah Kissel, Prologue of the Bard

Alisa Weilerstein, Cello

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****1

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut's Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

The Met’s Frida y Diego proves visually stunning, musically thrilling

David Wolfson, 22nd May

Deborah Colker and her design team create visually vibrant worlds for the Met’s new production of El último sueño de Frida y Diego, by Pulitzer Prize winner Gabriela Lena Frank.

*****

Glyndebourne’s first Tosca: vocally strong but imperfect

David Karlin, 21st May

Ted Huffman brings some interesting ideas to his first Glyndebourne production. Excellent singing is let down by indifferent physical acting.

***11

Dudamel’s LA Phil Walküre proves worth the wait

Matthew Richard Martinez, 21st May

An enveloping performance of Die Walküre spans three consecutive evenings, featuring world class singing in Frank Gehry’s stunning space.

****1

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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.

A terrifying Bluebeard's Castle and impromptu tribute to Ozawa at the Boston Symphony