The Queensland Symphony - weaving music and drama into an evening of enchanting light entertainment

By Alan Yu, 29 May 2011

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Reviewed at QPAC: Lyric Theatre, Brisbane on 27 May 2011

Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61 (Incidental Music)

Queensland Symphony Orchestra

University of Queensland Choir

Johannes Fritzsch, Conductor

Tama Matheson, Director

Natalie Peluso, Soprano

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

A Coppélia coming to you from Hahndorf, South Australia

Ruth Ridgway, 14th June

Queensland Ballet’s delightful Coppélia is fresh and funny, without being superficial.

*****

Songs amid ice and fire: Götterdämmerungat Opera Australia

David Larkin, 7th December

An icy Götterdämmerung brings Opera Australia's Ring Cycle to a successful conclusion, with standout performances from Lise Lindstrom as Brünnhilde and Andrea Silvestrelli as Hagen.

****1

Nature goes hi-tech: Opera Australia’s Siegfried a triumph for Vinke

David Larkin, 5th December

The tireless Stefan Vinke wows in the title role of Opera Australia's Siegfried, in a production which harnesses technology to excellent effect.

****1

Phoenixes and magic fire: Opera Australia's Die Walküre is a hit

David Larkin, 3rd December

The second part of Opera Australia's Ring Cycle sees digital effects employed with greater restraint, delivering a production that is by turns moving and thrilling.

****1

Sweet treat for Christmas: Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Ruth Ridgway, 1st December

While Tchaikovsky’s music is the biggest star in Queensland Ballet’s Nutcracker, the dancers sparkle and shine in a pretty fantasy world.

****1

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Alan Yu

The first concert Alan attended was Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. For 7 years he presented classical music programmes for Radio Television Hong Kong, partly to pay his way through university. He attends concerts whenever he can and believes there is no substitute for the thrill of live performances. He writes here.