A bite of the Big Apple: Nézet-Séguin and the Met Orchestra in London

Joyce DiDonato, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Met Orchestra

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Met Orchestra

Angel Blue and Russell Thomas

By Dominic Lowe, 01 July 2023

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“a masterclass in acting, her feelings raw, veering from savage, frenzied fury to a rending agony”

Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 29 June 2023

Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture

Aucoin, Lear Sketches

Berlioz, Les Troyens: Chers Tyriens

Berlioz, Les Troyens: Royal hunt and storm

Berlioz, Les Troyens: Ah! Ah! Je vais mourir! … Adieu, fière cité

Verdi, Otello (Act 4)

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Russell Thomas, Otello, Tenor

Angel Blue, Desdemona, Soprano

Deborah Nansteel, Emilia

Michael Chioldi, Iago

Adam Lau, Montano

Richard Bernstein, Lodovico

Errin Duane Brooks, Cassio

Joyce DiDonato, Mezzo-soprano

A birthday reimagining of Il viaggio a Reims in Salzburg

Laura Servidei, 25th May

In Barrie Kosky's hyperactive staging, Il viaggio a Reims becomes a birthday tribute to Cecilia Bartoli complete with rewritten text, extravagant costumes, sexual escapades and a giant cake.

***11

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

Matthias Goerne strikes gold with Salome in Toulouse

Emmanuel Gaillard, 22nd May

Late step-in Nicole Chevalier, baritone-turned-director Matthias Goerne and conductor Frank Beermann combine their talents to create a landmark production at the Capitole de Toulouse.

*****

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.

*****

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Dominic Lowe

Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.

A bite of the Big Apple: Yannick Nézet-Séguin brings the Met Orchestra to London