Yehudi Menuhin celebrated at the Edinburgh International Festival

Alexander Sitkovetsky and Nicola Benedetti with the NFM Leopoldinum

The NFM Leopoldinum and Rising Stars of Strings 2023

By David Smythe, 12 August 2025

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“watching two childhood friends dovetailing phrases so elegantly cast a special spell”

Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 11 August 2025

Elgar, Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op.20

Panufnik, Violin Concerto

Bach, Double Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV1043

Bartók, Divertimento for Strings, Sz 113

NFM Leopoldinum

Alexander Sitkovetsky, Director, Violin

Nicola Benedetti, Violin

Anaïs Feller, Violin

Letizia Gullino, Violin

Alexandra Peral, Violin

Wanshu Qiu, Viola

Maxim Calver, Cello

Trojan’s Carousel: a magical night of dreams come true in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 23rd April

A vintage opera at the National Theatre offers charming adventures for children and musical sophistication for adults.

*****

Women take over: Future Dance Festival at New York's 92nd Street Y

Carla Escoda, 17th April

Two evenings of live dance and a full program of dance films from young choreographers yielded much to admire and be amused by at the Future Dance Festival 2026.

****1

Regents Opera’s Salome lands a knockout punch at York Hall

Mark Pullinger, 10th April

Mark Ravenhill directs a brutal, bloody Salome at the spiritual home of British boxing, York Hall.

****1

Ensemble Masques opens “Cembalomania” at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 12th December

Ensemble Masques brings French Baroque to life at the Elbphilharmonie, with Olivier Fortin’s radiant harpsichord, spirited strings and vivid interplay revealing the expressive richness of Couperin, Rameau, Forqueray and Corrette.

****1

La bohème as escapist epic at LA Opera

Néstor Castiglione, 22nd November

Puccini's tale of bohemian love lives on at the Dorothy Chandler as LA Opera launches its 2025-26 season.

****1

John Neumeier’s Liliom: A Prague triumph

Graham Watts, 23rd October

Czech National Ballet scores a hit in John Neumeier’s masterpiece Liliom, with back to back performances and multiple casts.

*****

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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.