Rotterdam Philharmonic presents a fabulous Frau ohne Schatten

By Jenny Camilleri, 24 February 2020

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Nézet-Séguin... could spin with gold... and, taking that gold, he spun it into platinum”

Reviewed at De Doelen: Grote Zaal, Rotterdam on 23 February 2020

Strauss R., Die Frau ohne Schatten

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

Lise Lindstrom, Barak the Dyer's Wife

Elza van den Heever, Empress

Michaela Schuster, Nurse

Stephen Gould, Emperor

Michael Volle, Barak, the Dyer

Katrien Baerts, The Guardian of the Threshold, The Voice of a Falcon

Bror Magnus Tødenes, The Apparition of a Youth

Andreas Conrad, The Hunchback, Barak's Brother

Thomas Oliemans, The Messenger of Keikobad

Michael Wilmering, The One-Eyed Man, Barak’s Brother

Nathan Berg, The One-Armed Man, Barak’s Brother

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Rotterdam Symphony Chorus

Netherlands Childrens Choir (Nationaal Kinderkoor)

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

Welsh National Opera’s Dutchman docks in Birmingham

Rohan Shotton, 7th May

This bracing performance of The Flying Dutchman is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary musical standards which are at risk in the face of WNO’s subsidy cuts.

****1

More reviews...

Jenny Camilleri

After completing her postgraduate studies in psychology at the University of Toronto, Jenny moved to Amsterdam, where she enjoys singing in amateur choirs. She loves all genres of classical vocal music, especially nineteenth and early twentieth century Italian and German opera and art songs.