Clockwork precision and sparkle in Dutoit in LA

By Néstor Castiglione, 12 November 2017

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“Dutoit allowed the silky, diaphanous strings of the Los Angeles Phil to virtually steal the show”

Reviewed at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles on 10 November 2017

Ravel, Pavane pour une infante défunte

Ravel, Piano Concerto in G major

Ravel, L'Heure espagnole

Charles Dutoit, Conductor

Isabel Leonard, Concepción

Benjamin Hulett, Gonzalve

François Piolino, Torquemada

Jean-Luc Ballestra, Ramiro

David Wilson-Johnson, Don Iñigo Gomez

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano

Richard Jones’ clunky Samson et Dalila returns to Covent Garden

Dominic Lowe, 13th May

With Aigul Akhmetshina and Seokjong Baek in the title roles, there are reasons to be optimistic, but The Royal Opera’s revival of Richard Jones’ production is a mixed bag.

***11

Reality television: ENO’s Angel’s Bone in Manchester

Lawrence Dunn, 12th May

Kip Williams and ENO mount an extraordinary new production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s multifaceted opera, with performances of great emotional directness broadcast live on camera.

*****

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

David Smythe, 9th May

A traditional Marriage of Figaro entertains with a strong cast, eye-catching design and lighting, and Amanda Holden’s earthy libretto.

****1

Sasha Cooke brings sharp intelligence to Seattle Opera’s Carmen

Thomas May, 8th May

Sasha Cooke’s thoughtful role debut anchors Paul Curran’s visually and musically alert but dramatically uneven production.

****1

Werther oozes quiet despair in new Canadian Opera Company staging

John Gilks, 7th May

Excellent performances cannot turn a conventional production of Massenet’s Werther into a dramatic experience for the 21st century.

***11

Rossini’s Cenerentola proves great fun in Adelaide

Sandra Bowdler, 7th May

Neil Armfield’s production for State Opera South Australia combines a sparkling night of entertainment with first class musical values.

****1

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Néstor Castiglione

Néstor Castiglione is a freelance music critic, program note annotator, translator, and lecturer born and raised in Los Angeles. Aside from classical music, he also writes and lectures on the culture and popular music of early Shōwa Japan (1925 – 1945). His website is Echorrhea and you can also follow him on Instagram @echorrhea.

Clockwork precision and sparkle in Dutoit's all-Ravel program in Los Angeles