A triumphant Pierre de Médicis makes a case for Poniatowski

José Miguel Pérez-Sierra conducts Pierre de Médicis

By Dominic Lowe, 27 July 2025

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“under the galvanising baton of José Miguel Pérez-Sierra”

Reviewed at Trinkhalle Wildbad, Bad Wildbad on 24 July 2025

Poniatowski, Pierre de Medicis

José Miguel Pérez-Sierra, Conductor

Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra

Krakow Philharmonic Choir

Patrick Kabongo, Le Duc Pierre de Médicis

Claudia Pavone, Laura Salviati

César San Martín, Julien de Médicis

Nathanaël Tavernier, Fra Antonio, Grand Inquisitor

Anle Gou, Paolo Monti

Davide Zaccherini, Tenor

A witty hotel Don Giovanni opens Blackwater Valley Festival

Andrew Larkin, 27th May

Tom Creed’s witty production at Lismore Castle delivers strong singing, sharp comedy and lively orchestral playing, even if the opera’s darker supernatural edges are somewhat diminished.

****1

Werther revived at San Carlo: an anatomy of emotional isolation

Lorenzo Fiorito, 26th May

Willy Decker’s psychologically intense Werther returns to the Teatro di San Carlo with a deeply human interpretation by Francesco Demuro and refined conducting by Lorenzo Passerini.

*****

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

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

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

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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 triumphant Pierre de Médicis makes the case for a Poniatowski revival