Darkness and light: Equilbey's period Fidelio in concert

By Kevin W Ng, 12 May 2022

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“the period instruments bring a refreshing warmth, lyricism, and clarity to the score”

Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 11 May 2022

Beethoven, Fidelio

Laurence Equilbey, Conductor

David Bobée, Director, Set Designer

Stéphane Babi Aubert, Lighting Designer

Nicolas Girard-Michelotti, Assistant director

Léa Jézéquel, Assistant set designer

Wojtek Doroszuk, Video

Stanislas de Barbeyrac, Florestan

Sinéad Campbell Wallace, Leonore

Sebastian Holecek, Don Pizarro

Christian Immler, Rocco

Hélène Carpentier, Marzelline

Patrick Grahl, Jaquino

Insula orchestra

accentus

A birthday reimagining of Il viaggio a Reims in Salzburg

Laura Servidei, 25th May

In Barrie Kosky's hyperactive staging, Il viaggio a Reims becomes a birthday tribute to Cecilia Bartoli complete with rewritten text, extravagant costumes, sexual escapades and a giant cake.

***11

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

Matthias Goerne strikes gold with Salome in Toulouse

Emmanuel Gaillard, 22nd May

Late step-in Nicole Chevalier, baritone-turned-director Matthias Goerne and conductor Frank Beermann combine their talents to create a landmark production at the Capitole de Toulouse.

*****

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.

*****

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Kevin W Ng

Kevin writes about music and culture, with a focus on opera. Originally trained as a violinist, he has a particular interest in 20th-century music. He is currently based in New York City.