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

Viennese splendour in Garsington’s Rosenkavalier revival

Roy Westbrook, 28th May

Bruno Ravella's splendid 2021 production of Strauss' opera of Viennese manners returns with a fine cast.

****1

Bang! Mozart's volcano erupts in Opera Holland Park’s Così fan tutte

Peter Quantrill, 28th May

Mount Vesuvius looms over Cecilia Stinton’s compelling new production of Così fan tutte.

****1

Garsington’s new La traviata ticks every musical and dramatic box

David Karlin, 27th May

Music Director Douglas Boyd conducts a performance of exceptional musical quality, and Louisa Muller's uncontroversial but passionate direction makes this Traviata one for the ages.

*****

A witty hotel Don Giovanni opens Blackwater Valley Festival

Andrew Larkin, 27th May

Tom Creed’s witty production at Lismore Castle delivers strong singing, sharp comedy and lively orchestral playing, even if the opera’s darker supernatural edges are somewhat diminished.

****1

Werther revived at San Carlo: an anatomy of emotional isolation

Lorenzo Fiorito, 26th May

Willy Decker’s psychologically intense Werther returns to the Teatro di San Carlo with a deeply human interpretation by Francesco Demuro and refined conducting by Lorenzo Passerini.

*****

Opera Holland Park makes a convincing case for La fanciulla del West

Dominic Lowe, 26th May

A thoughtful production from Martin Lloyd-Evans and magnificent playing from Matthew Kofi Walden and the City of London Sinfonia make the case for why Puccini's under-appreciated work is actually so sophisticated.

****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