Passion, savagery and humor: Boston Symphony at Carnegie Hall

Andris Nelsons, Brenden Gunnell and the Boston Symphony

Kristine Opolais

By Susan Stempleski, 01 February 2024

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“embracing the music’s idiosyncracies and dynamic extremes, he shaped a thrilling performance”

Reviewed at Carnegie Hall: Stern Auditorium, New York City on 30 January 2024

Shostakovich, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District (concert performance)

Andris Nelsons, Conductor

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Tanglewood Festival Chorus

Günther Groissböck, Boris Timofeyevich Izmailov

Brenden Gunnell, Sergey

Peter Hoare, Zinoviy Borisovich Izmailov

Kristine Opolais, Katerina Lvovna Izmailova

Maria Barakova, Sonyetka

Michelle Trainor, Aksinya

Matthew Dibattista, Schoolmaster

Alexander Kravets, Tattered peasant

Dmitry Belosselskiy, Old Convict

Anatoli Sivko, Police inspector

Goran Jurić, Priest

Patrick Guetti, Policeman

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut's Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****1

The Met’s Frida y Diego proves visually stunning, musically thrilling

David Wolfson, 22nd May

Deborah Colker and her design team create visually vibrant worlds for the Met’s new production of El último sueño de Frida y Diego, by Pulitzer Prize winner Gabriela Lena Frank.

*****

Dudamel’s LA Phil Walküre proves worth the wait

Matthew Richard Martinez, 21st May

An enveloping performance of Die Walküre spans three consecutive evenings, featuring world class singing in Frank Gehry’s stunning space.

****1

Glyndebourne’s first Tosca: vocally strong but imperfect

David Karlin, 21st May

Ted Huffman brings some interesting ideas to his first Glyndebourne production. Excellent singing is let down by indifferent physical acting.

***11

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Susan Stempleski

Based in New York City, Susan is a retired specialist in second and foreign language teaching and the author/editor of several professional books for language teachers and many widely used textbooks for English language learners around the world. An avid concertgoer, she spends her time attending operas and other classical music events in New York and Paris. Since 2002, she has regularly published reviews on Classical Source. A keen Francophile, she has a particularly strong interest in French music, literature and film.

Passion, savagery and humor: Shostakovich from the Boston Symphony at Carnegie Hall