Skelton powers through Grimes at the Proms

Last week Stuart Skelton sang the title role of Peter Grimes in a concert version of Britten’ eponymous opera at the BBC Proms in London.  Tim Ashley of TheGuardian describes the production as “overwhelming …sung, acted and played with uncompromising veracity and commitment”. Sydney audiences would be familiar with Skelton’s electrifying performance as Grimes when he sang the role for…

Das Rheingold in Brisbane reviewed

If you didn’t make it to Brisbane to hear Simone Young conduct the Hamburg State opera and Philharmonic Orchestra in  concert performnce of Das Rheingold, here’s a review by Matin Buzacott for The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/wagner-played-with-fantastic-power-and-great-restraint/story-fn9d2mxu-1226457251400

The Song Company’s ‘Sunken Dreams’ reviewed

Peter McCallum reviews The Song Company’s Sunken Dreams for the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/groups-bent-for-innovation-is-lost-in-fragments-of-sound-20120816-24b7y.html

‘South Pacific’ – the verdicts are out!

Here they are: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/even-decades-on-it-remains-an-enchanted-evening-20120812-242p4.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/world-of-lovers-but-a-dream/story-fn9d344c-1226448683157 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/bartlett-shers-production-of-south-pacific-remains-younger-than-springtime/story-fn9n8gph-1226446080649  

The ACO’s ‘Beethoven 9’ concert reviewed

Vincent Plush reviews The ACO’s Canberra performance of Beethoven’s 9th symphony with the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge: http://www.theaustralian.cot.au/arts/pure-joy-a-performance-for-the-history-books/story-e6frg8n6-1226443342722

‘The Reef’ reviewed

Peter McCallum reviews the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s The Reef: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/dream-dashed-by-clanging-cymbals-20120724-22n2p.html

A truly dazzling virtuoso – the keyed trumpet premieres in Sydney

Gabriele Cassone playing the keyed trumpet with The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, directed from the fortepiano by Paul Dyer, truly brought to life the title of the present series Dazzling Virtuoso with a breathtaking performance. A deliberate choice of adjective. The keyed trumpet, an instrument of the 18th century sits between the Baroque and the newer valved instruments, representing…

Aida reviewed

Opera Australia’s production of Verdi’s Aida, conducted by Arvo Volmer and directed and choreographed by Graeme Murphy has opened in Sydney. Peter McCallum reviews it for the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/murphys-grand-design-a-triumph-in-a-tight-space-20120718-22alj.html