Götterdämmerung: a truly fabulous end to the EIF Ring

By David Smythe, 27 August 2019

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“Christine Goerke, surely the festival’s favourite Brünnhilde, gave an absolutely immense performance”

Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 25 August 2019

Wagner, Götterdämmerung (Concert performance)

Sir Andrew Davis, Conductor

Christine Goerke, Brünnhilde

Burkhard Fritz, Siegfried

Josef Wagner, Gunther

Amber Wagner, Gutrune

Ain Anger, Hagen

Samuel Youn, Alberich

Karen Cargill, Waltraute, Second Norn

Ronnita Miller, First Norn

Erin Wall, Third Norn

Danae Kontora, Woglinde

Catriona Morison, Wellgunde

Claudia Huckle, Flosshilde

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Voices

Peter Grimes drops anchor again at The Royal Opera

Christopher Woodley, 5th May

Allan Clayton and Sir Bryn Terfel lead a strong cast in a revival of Deborah Warner's dark staging of Britten's signature work at Covent Garden.

****1

The early flowering of opera: a fragrant L’Orfeo at Schwetzingen

Mengguang Huang, 3rd May

Markus Bothe’s Botticelli-inspired production fuses tableau vivant aesthetics with Jörg Halubek’s surgical musical precision, offering a peerless, vivid tribute to the fragrant dawn of opera.

****1

Two funerals and a bedding at the Linbury Theatre

Eleanor Knight, 1st May

Tales of love and loss as operas by Elena Langer, Charlotte Bray and Elizabeth Maconchy form a varied triple bill in this showcase for The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists.

****1

Deep into the American psyche: Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men

Hilary Stroh, 1st May

Carlisle Floyd's operatic setting of John Steinbeck’s classic novella is given a new production in the composer's centenary year at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

****1

Boston Doodle Dandy: Boston Lyric Opera presents La Fille du régiment

Kevin Wells, 1st May

Very few singers can hold an audience in the palm of their hand the way Brenda Rae as Marie does in this rollicking frolic.

****1

The triumph of virtue: Rossini’s Cenerentola in Brisbane

Sandra Bowdler, 29th April

Margarita Gritskova leads a fine ensemble performance of Rossini’s most under-appreciated opera by Opera Queensland.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.

Götterdämmerung: a truly fabulous end to the Edinburgh International Festival’s Ring