Nina Stemme reigns supreme in Wagner in Stockholm

By Ako Imamura, 06 November 2020

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“true balm to heal the wound of a world suffering from the shock and fallout of the pandemic”

Reviewed at Konserthuset Stockholm: Stora Salen, Stockholm on 5 November 2020

Wagner, Tannhäuser: Overture

Wagner, Tannhäuser: Dich teure Halle

Wagner, Tannhäuser: Allmächt'ge Jungfrau, hör mein Flehen

Wagner, Tristan and Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod

Strauss R., Cäcilie, Op.27 no.2

Strauss R., Le Bourgeois gentilhomme (Der Bürger als Edelmann) suite, Op.60b

Nina Stemme, Soprano

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Karina Canellakis, Conductor

Musical tributes to Festival d’Aix as it wins Birgit Nilsson Prize

Peter Quantrill, 21st October

Pierre Audi is remembered in words and music as the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence receives $1m – the richest prize in classical music – at Stockholm’s Konserthuset.

Bancroft and the Royal Stockholm Phil brass shine in Bruckner

David Karlin, 24th October

The RSPO's Chief Conductor leads an impressive Bruckner 4. With Augustin Hagelich, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is lighter fare, but trips merrily.

****1

Music, people, planet: a triumphant celebration in music for Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 18th October

The celebrated cellist becomes the first instrumentalist to be presented the Birgit Nilsson Prize by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf at the official Award Ceremony in Stockholm.

*****

Birgit Nilsson Prize: dazzling Dvořák from the ever-smiling Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 16th October

Yo-Yo Ma's beatific serenity speaks volumes about his approach to life and music as he gives a performance in Stockholm's Konserthuset ahead of receiving the Birgit Nilsson Prize later in the week.

****1

Old works and new from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the RSPO

Sandra Bowdler, 25th November

An intriguing programming of old and new works, covering the time period 1893 to 1976, which themselves contain elements of old and new, beautifully performed.

****1

Grande Finale 4: Oramo and the RSPO conclude a majestic Sibelius cycle

Roy Westbrook, 29th May

In between the two symphonies, there was an extra Sibelius item, and this time it was a novelty.

*****

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Ako Imamura

Atsuko (Ako) Imamura is a retired investment banker in New York City. Born in Japan, she trained as cultural anthropologist in the US before turning to ﬁnance. She now spends her time attending opera and classical music concerts in New York and in Europe. Wagner is her favorite opera composer.