BBC Proms reviews

Prom 19: Three watery tales on a dry summer’s evening from Mark Elder and Hallé

by Barry Creasy

Familiar and not so familiar music in the Albert Hall


Little Women the opera makes its UK debut at Opera Holland Park

by Sam Smith
Both composer and director ensure this operatic version of the novel possesses clarity
Little Women the opera makes its UK debut at Opera Holland Park

Prom 17: BBC Scottish SO serves a menu of fine dining and party food from Brahms and Wa...

by Barry Creasy
It was a Prom of two halves at the Albert Hall
Prom 17: BBC Scottish SO serves a menu of fine dining and party food from Brahms and Wa...

Prom 13: Glyndebourne’s The Wreckers moves inland to the Albert Hall

by Sam Smith
Ethel Smyth’s opera comes to the BBC Proms for a second time
Prom 13: Glyndebourne’s The Wreckers moves inland to the Albert Hall

Le nozze di Figaro takes West Green House Opera to the next level

by Sam Smith
Mozart on the lake makes for a magical evening
Le nozze di Figaro takes West Green House Opera to the next level

Prom 10: Roll up! Roll up! A Jubilee lucky dip from Barry Wordsworth and the BBC Concer...

by Barry Creasy
God save her. The BBC Proms adds its tribute to the Queen’s milestone
Prom 10: Roll up! Roll up! A Jubilee lucky dip from Barry Wordsworth and the BBC Concer...

Margot la Rouge and Le Villi make a compelling double bill at Opera Holland Park

by Sam Smith
Puccini may eclipse Delius on this occasion, but it still creates a double thrill
Margot la Rouge and Le Villi make a compelling double bill at Opera Holland Park

Prom 7: A memorable Dido and Aeneas from La Nuova Musica

by Benjamin Poore
David Bates leads an all-star cast in a poised performance that withstood the heat
Prom 7: A memorable Dido and Aeneas from La Nuova Musica

Prom 6: Andrew Davis and the BBC Philharmonic provide the perfect antidote to a swelter...

by Barry Creasy
A baking Albert Hall hosts a blazing performance
Prom 6: Andrew Davis and the BBC Philharmonic provide the perfect antidote to a swelter...

BBC Proms: Verdi’s Requiem features on the first night at the Royal Albert Hall

by Keith McDonnell
Back to normal as an open house greets the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sakari Oramo
BBC Proms: Verdi’s Requiem features on the first night at the Royal Albert Hall

Pretoria comes to London: TUKS Camerata and VOCES8 present the closing concert at 2022...

by Barry Creasy
Musical hemispheric crossover delights in London

Otello: The devil has all the best tunes in The Royal Opera’s revival of Verdi’s ma...

by Keith McDonnell
A reappearance of jealousy and lust delights in Covent Garden
Otello: The devil has all the best tunes in The Royal Opera’s revival of Verdi’s ma...

Carmen proves unstoppable at Longborough Festival Opera

by Sam Smith
Massive cast changes and performance restructuring cannot disrupt Carmen
Carmen proves unstoppable at Longborough Festival Opera

Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci: A sultry evening of lust, jealousy and revenge

by Keith McDonnell
An ever-changing cast triumphs at the Royal Opera
Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci: A sultry evening of lust, jealousy and revenge

The Turn of the Screw is pitch perfect at Garsington Opera

by Sam Smith
The production begins in the light, but where will it end?
The Turn of the Screw is pitch perfect at Garsington Opera

The Yeomen of the Guard brings the Tower of London to The Grange Festival

by Sam Smith
A production defined by a dramatic gesture from a dramatic jester
The Yeomen of the Guard brings the Tower of London to The Grange Festival

Parsifal makes a thrilling return to London after an absence of nine years

by Keith McDonnell
Opera North travels south and brings Wagner with them
Parsifal makes a thrilling return to London after an absence of nine years

Tamerlano: A spiked cocktail of love, lust and power

by Melanie Eskenazi
The pellet with the poison’s in the flagon with the dragon…
Tamerlano: A spiked cocktail of love, lust and power

The Barber of Seville is razor sharp at Nevill Holt Opera

by Sam Smith
A strong attention to detail makes for good quality fun
The Barber of Seville is razor sharp at Nevill Holt Opera

Rusalka: Drown your sorrows in this lily pond

by Melanie Eskenazi
Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink… “I come into the presence of still water. / And I feel above me the day-blind stars / Waiting for their light.” (Wendell Berry) Garsington Opera’s brilliant...
Rusalka: Drown your sorrows in this lily pond

Die tote Stadt packs a punch at Longborough Festival Opera

by Sam Smith
Passion and drama in the most intimate of settings
Die tote Stadt packs a punch at Longborough Festival Opera