An intense Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher in Amsterdam

By Jenny Camilleri, 29 September 2018

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Reviewed at Concertgebouw: Main Hall, Amsterdam on 27 September 2018

Honegger, Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher (Joan of Arc at the Stake), H99 (Semi-staged)

Stéphane Denève, Conductor

Caecilia Thunnissen, Director

Judith Chemla, Jeanne d'Arc

Jean-Claude Drouot, Frère Dominique

Christine Goerke, Marguerite

Claire de Sévigné, Virgin Mary

Judit Kutasi, Catherine

Jean-Noel Briend, Porcus

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Adrien Gamba-Gontard, Actor

Christian Gonon, Actor

Steven Humes, Bass

Netherlands Childrens Choir (Nationaal Kinderkoor)

Rotterdam Symphony Chorus

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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.

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Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

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****1

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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.

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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.

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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.

An intense Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra