Elgar’s glorious Kingdom at Winchester Cathedral

By David Truslove, 09 December 2019

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“a powerfully symphonic score, not least its chiaroscuro orchestration”

Reviewed at Winchester Cathedral, Winchester on 7 December 2019

Elgar, The Kingdom - oratorio for soloists chorus and orchestra, Op.51

Eleanor Dennis, Soprano

Katie Bray, Mezzo-soprano

Ed Lyon, Tenor

Stephan Loges, Bass-baritone

The Waynflete Singers

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Andrew Lumsden, Conductor

Ning Feng’s Korngold is not quite a “Hollywood hit” in Poole

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Sian Edwards takes the helm of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Britten, Korngold and Dvořák, with mixed results.

***11

A Prom of two halves: Mark Wigglesworth and the Bournemouth SO

Leighton Jones, 20th July

The BSO play a trio of 20th-century greats — Ravel and Shostakovich both taking inspiration from the age of jazz, while Walton’s First Symphony provides contrast.

***11

Die Fledermaus at The Grange: Cabaret meets G&S

David Karlin, 20th June

A fine singing cast gives creditable performances in Johann Stauss II's most famous operetta, but Paul Curran's updating of Act 2 to 1930s Berlin takes the fizz out of the Champagne.

***11

Alena Baeva delivers transcendent Berg at The Anvil

David Truslove, 25th January

Polished playing and inspirational performances in Basingstoke that underline the exciting relationship between Mark Wigglesworth and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

*****

The Rake's Progress at The Grange: richly entertaining

David Karlin, 23rd June

Singing performances are excellent, the staging is well crafted and Stravinsky's eclectic score entertains from start to finish. But it's an evening's opera that doesn't touch the soul.

****1

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Kirill Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra present a day of composers from the former Soviet republics with heroic skill and stamina.

****1

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David Truslove

After many years as a musician – conducting choirs, singing as a lay clerk at Winchester Cathedral and an involvement in education, David now writes programme notes, occasionally composes and enjoys a busy schedule of reviewing.