Bachtrack logo
What's on
All eventsConcertsOperaDanceKids eventsMasterclassesCompetitionsFestivals
Reviews
All reviewsConcert reviewsOpera reviewsDance reviews
Articles
All articlesFeaturesInterviewsOpinionPlaylists
News
Video
Video homeAll videoStreamed eventsConcertsOperaDanceKids eventsMasterclassesPublishers
Site
About usContact usLink to usConditions of useCookiesPrivacy
Young artists
Travel
EventsReviewsArticlesVideo

Making Babylon great again: DiDonato shines in musically spectacular Semiramide in Munich

By Laura Servidei, 19 February 2017
Loading, please wait...
See full listing
“DiDonato's... vocal performance was brilliant, marked by a wonderful legato and sparkling coloratura”
Reviewed at Nationaltheater, Munich on 18 February 2017
Programme
Rossini, Semiramide
Performers
Bavarian State Opera
Michele Mariotti, Conductor
David Alden, Director
Paul Steinberg, Set Designer
Buki Shiff, Costume Designer
Joyce DiDonato, Semiramide
Alex Esposito, Assur
Daniela Barcellona, Arsace
Lawrence Brownlee, Idreno
Elsa Benoit, Azema
Simone Alberghini, Oroe
Galeano Salas, Mitrane
Igor Tsarkov, Nino's ghost
Bayerisches Staatsorchester
Bayerischer Staatsopernchor
More Opera reviews
Jones’ wicked Hänsel und Gretel returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper
Mark Pullinger, 6th December
Even without a gingerbread house, there’s enough wickedness in Richard Jones’ staging of Humperdinck’s opera for sweet tooths to savour.
****1
No fairy tale: Kušej’s Rusalka works with devastating force in Munich
Orsolya Gyárfás, 26th July
Asmik Grigorian leads a searing performance in Martin Kušej’s 15-year-old, yet ever-fresh, outstanding production of Dvořák's opera.
****1
Everlasting Everding: another beautiful Munich Zauberflöte revival
Laura Servidei, 4th January

August Everding’s Magic Flute is revived in Munich with a solid cast for the enjoyment of all ages.

***11
And they were the most divine gods: Das Rheingold in Munich
Phillip Richter, 3rd November
Tobias Kratzer's prelude to this new Ring cycle exceeds all expectations and scores a musical-theatrical success.
*****
All play and no work: an exuberant Figaro in Munich
Orsolya Gyárfás, 17th July
Evgeny Titov's new production is heavy on the jokes and light in substance, but delights anyway thanks to its high-class cast. 
****1
Waltzing masks and masquerades in Kosky’s new Fledermaus
Zenaida des Aubris, 23rd December

Expect sequins and swinging chandeliers in the Australian director's new Fledermaus at the Bayerische Staatsoper. 

****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Alex EspositoBavarian State OperaBayerischer StaatsopernchorBayerisches StaatsorchesterBuki ShiffDaniela BarcellonaDavid AldenElsa BenoitGaleano SalasGioachino RossiniIgor TsarkovJoyce DiDonatoLawrence BrownleeMichele MariottiPaul SteinbergSemiramideSimone Alberghini
Related articles
Loading image...
BBC Radio 3 announces latest New Generation Artists
Loading image...
Pure agilità: Aya Wakizono returns to Tokyo
Loading image...
Bel canto and beyond: Kazushi Ono on New National Theatre, Tokyo
Loading image...
The art of memory: classical music for mourning
More by Laura Servidei
Loading image...
Among the stars, with shadows: Rameau’s Castor et Pollux in Geneva
Loading image...
Tragedy in the mirror: Minghella’s Madama Butterfly at the Wiener Staatsoper
Loading image...
The Ring returns to the Rhine: Götterdämmerung at La Scala
Loading image...
The music in mathematics: a conversation with Bertrand Maury
Laura Servidei
Laura Servidei
Mathematician, science nerd, translator of popular science books, obsessed opera fan since the teen years. Day job: business analyst in a software house developing systems for the financial industry. Amateur choral singer. Main musical interests: baroque music and Italian opera. Originally from Italy, currently based in Sweden. I make a mean eggplant parmesan.