Death, dance and dirges with the City of London Sinfonia at The Rest is Noise

By Renée Reitsma, 30 September 2013

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Reviewed at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 27 September 2013

Britten, Serenade for tenor, horn and strings, song cycle, Op.31

Britten, Movements for a Clarinet Concerto

Copland, Clarinet Concerto

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 14, Op.135

Evelina Dobračeva, Soprano

Graeme Broadbent, Bass

Michael Collins, Conductor, Clarinet

Ronan Busfield, Tenor

Stephen Stirling, French horn

City of London Sinfonia

Bang! Mozart's volcano erupts in Opera Holland Park’s Così fan tutte

Peter Quantrill, 28th May

Mount Vesuvius looms over Cecilia Stinton’s compelling new production of Così fan tutte.

****1

Opera Holland Park makes a convincing case for La fanciulla del West

Dominic Lowe, 26th May

A thoughtful production from Martin Lloyd-Evans and magnificent playing from Matthew Kofi Walden and the City of London Sinfonia make the case for why Puccini's under-appreciated work is actually so sophisticated.

****1

Born to sing Lucia: Jennifer France shines at Opera Holland Park

Mark Valencia, 18th July

Cecilia Stinton’s new production of Lucia di Lammermoor doesn't necessarily make best use of OHP’s performance space, but the singers excel.

***11

Jonathan Dove’s Itch at Opera Holland Park

David Karlin, 3rd June

Simon Mayo’s Young Adult novels are turned into an operatic romp which explores the fascination of the elements with excellent music and setting, albeit riddled with plot lacunae.

****1

Doomed Dutchman wants a wife: Wagner makes Opera Holland Park debut

Eleanor Knight, 27th May

Amid the rough winds of late May, Julia Burbach directs Opera Holland Park's first venture into Wagner – The Flying Dutchman.

***11

The darker side of G&S: Yeomen of the Guard at Holland Park

David Karlin, 7th August

Some good singing performances can't overcome a dated feeling of Gilbert's humour: the evening improves as the storm clouds gather.

**111

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Renée Reitsma

Renée lives in Essex and is a PhD student in Philosophy. She loves all sorts of classical and non-classical music, but has a particular love for Dmitri Shostakovich. She is in charge of the Heavy Symphonic playlist at Dutch classical music site 24classics and blogs here.