Wagner’s Dutchman drops anchor in Provence

James Rutherford

François-Xavier Roth conducts the Gürzenich Orchester Köln

Ingela Brimberg

Chor der Oper Köln and the Gürzenich Orchester

By Mark Pullinger, 11 April 2023

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“the dapper Roth, conducting with a pencil, was a bundle of energy”

Reviewed at Grand Théâtre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence on 10 April 2023

Wagner, Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) (Version de concert)

François-Xavier Roth, Conductor

Gürzenich Orchestra

Chor der Oper Köln

James Rutherford, Dutchman

Ingela Brimberg, Senta

Karl-Heinz Lehner, Daland

Maximilian Schmitt, Erik

Dalia Schaechter, Mary

Dmitry Ivanchey, The Steersman

Richard Jones’ clunky Samson et Dalila returns to Covent Garden

Dominic Lowe, 13th May

With Aigul Akhmetshina and Seokjong Baek in the title roles, there are reasons to be optimistic, but The Royal Opera’s revival of Richard Jones’ production is a mixed bag.

***11

Reality television: ENO’s Angel’s Bone in Manchester

Lawrence Dunn, 12th May

Kip Williams and ENO mount an extraordinary new production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s multifaceted opera, with performances of great emotional directness broadcast live on camera.

*****

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

David Smythe, 9th May

A traditional Marriage of Figaro entertains with a strong cast, eye-catching design and lighting, and Amanda Holden’s earthy libretto.

****1

Sasha Cooke brings sharp intelligence to Seattle Opera’s Carmen

Thomas May, 8th May

Sasha Cooke’s thoughtful role debut anchors Paul Curran’s visually and musically alert but dramatically uneven production.

****1

Rossini’s Cenerentola proves great fun in Adelaide

Sandra Bowdler, 7th May

Neil Armfield’s production for State Opera South Australia combines a sparkling night of entertainment with first class musical values.

****1

Werther oozes quiet despair in new Canadian Opera Company staging

John Gilks, 7th May

Excellent performances cannot turn a conventional production of Massenet’s Werther into a dramatic experience for the 21st century.

***11

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.