A moving Lied von der Erde at Covent Garden

By Roy Westbrook, 22 June 2020

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“the ghostly ape squatting on the moonlit graves was harrowing”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 22 June 2020

Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde

Gluck, Dance of the blessed spirits

Dame Sarah Connolly, Mezzo-soprano

David Butt Philip, Tenor

Vadim Muntagirov, Dancer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Sir Antonio Pappano, Conductor

Ballet Icons 20th anniversary gala offered a roster of star dancers

Amanda Jennings, 15th February

Many world class performances to enjoy in this 20th edition of the annual Ballet Icons Gala.

****1

Ballet Nights – Bound in Motion: another eclectic mix of excellence

Amanda Jennings, 10th September

In true Ballet Nights tradition, Bound in Motion presented the Cadogan Hall audience with an eclectic mix of old and new works and some outstanding performances.

****1

Ballet of the National Theatre Brno brings majesty to La Bayadère

Graham Watts, 16th February

Ballet of the National Theatre Brno, with guest artists, gave outstanding performances of this update of a great 19th century ballet.

*****

London Coliseum: the 18th Ballet Icons Gala was a little uneven

Amanda Jennings, 17th March

Highs and lows within a glamorous mixed bag of choreography are inevitable when people are travelling from around the world.

****1

The Royal Ballet's Don Quixote delivers a crowd-pleasing romp

Vikki Jane Vile, 30th September

Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote is a dazzling production which stands out for its lack of filler moments. There are no slow crowd scenes, just flat out dancing.

****1

Cinders returns to the ball in resplendent new clothing

Deborah Weiss, 27th March

With sumptuous new set designs and costumes, The Royal Ballet are in splendid form in Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella.

****1

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

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