Two Strauss swansongs and a prankster’s end in Barcelona

By John Marten Barnard, 29 April 2018

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“nose-thumbing French Horns and smirking clarinet”

Reviewed at Gran Teatre del Liceu: Auditorium, Barcelona on 28 April 2018

Strauss R., Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks), Op.28

Strauss R., Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), Op.24

Strauss R., Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs)

Jacquelyn Wagner, Soprano

Josep Pons, Conductor

Orquesta Sinfónica del Gran Teatre del Liceu

The starry trio of Davidsen-Hilley-Mälkki saves Tristan und Isolde

Maria Sánchez, 12th January

A highly unbalanced premiere, its opportunity to become one of the Liceu's historic productions prevented by the contrast between dramaturgy and music.

****1

Ballo del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma: a fresh look at Swan Lake

Graham Watts, 19th July

An innovative angle on a familiar ballet, Benjamin Pech's production brings some novel ideas to fore.

***11

Àlex Ollé's La bohème gets an unfair reception at the Liceu

Maria Sánchez, 14th June

Contrasting sensations at the Liceu, where the audience punished a production of La bohème with boos and gave rapturous applause to a cast that performed at half throttle.

*****

Aleu's video brilliance powers a dystopian Liceu Turandot

David Karlin, 8th October

Fine musical performances blend with staggering video artistry in Aleu's spectacular science-fiction setting.

*****

Thomas’ Hamlet in concert at the Liceu

John Marten Barnard, 10th March

Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet in concert in the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona is enthusiastically conducted by Daniel Oren.

****1

Vocal sparkle but a dull staging in the Liceu's Puritani

John Marten Barnard, 11th October

I puritani returns to Barcelona’s Liceu with Annilese Miskimmon’s production. Javier Camerena and Pretty Yende lead the inauguration of the season with a fine example of romantic bel canto.

****1

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John Marten Barnard

John Barnard has lived and worked for over 25 years in Barcelona. Originally from Kent in England, after university graduation he decided on a radical change in lifestyle, taking the decision to become a corporate English language trainer in Spain. He became involved in the world of opera several years ago when he offered language training services in the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house in Barcelona. Since then has been a season ticket holder with his wife, attending opera on a regular basis in Spain and internationally.

Contemplating death: two Strauss swansongs and a prankster’s end in Barcelona