Opera + Classical Music Reviews

No dallying: Rouvali conducts Brahms, Schumann and Sibelius

by Barry Creasy

Brisk is the word: Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall


Theodora review: The importance of being earnest

by Barry Creasy
An evening of earnest piety at the Barbican
Theodora review: The importance of being earnest

Philharmonia review: Bryn Terfel proves he’s still a master of his art when it comes ...

by Keith McDonnell
Conductor Alexander Soddy jumps in at short notice and creates a stir at the Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia review: Bryn Terfel proves he’s still a master of his art when it comes ...

The Dead City review: ENO pulls out all the stops for Korngold’s enigmatic masterpiece

by Keith McDonnell
A brilliantly conceived staging allied to some extraordinary playing justifies English National Opera’s decision to exhume this operatic rarity
The Dead City review: ENO pulls out all the stops for Korngold’s enigmatic masterpiece

Akhnaten review: ENO triumphs with a sterling revival of Glass’ minimalist take on th...

by Keith McDonnell
Another sold out revival of Akhnaten is proof why English National Opera must survive
Akhnaten review: ENO triumphs with a sterling revival of Glass’ minimalist take on th...

Across the Pond: Songs with an American connection from Elizabeth Llewellyn and Jess Dandy

by Barry Creasy
A heady, creamy cocktail of vocal talent at the Wigmore Hall
Across the Pond: Songs with an American connection from Elizabeth Llewellyn and Jess Dandy

Turandot review: An exceptional revival of The Royal Opera’s oldest staging shows the...

by Keith McDonnell
Riddle me this, riddle me that – Turandot is back for the 15th time
Turandot review: An exceptional revival of The Royal Opera’s oldest staging shows the...

Oprichnik enjoys its English premiere from the Chelsea Opera Group

by Sam Smith
A performance at Cadogan Hall that proved Tchaikovsky’s rarity deserves to be far better known
Oprichnik enjoys its English premiere from the Chelsea Opera Group

Il viaggio a Reims sees English Touring Opera prove the journey is more important than ...

by Sam Smith
The opera that celebrates the coronation of a king!
Il viaggio a Reims sees English Touring Opera prove the journey is more important than ...

Evergreen The Cunning Little Vixen delights at Leeds Grand Theatre

by Melanie Eskenazi
Janáček’s animal allegory gives paws for thought
Evergreen The Cunning Little Vixen delights at Leeds Grand Theatre

Bach to the audience: Robert Quinney at the Royal Festival Hall

by Barry Creasy
Robert Quinney delivers some stellar Bach organ works from the RFH organ
Bach to the audience: Robert Quinney at the Royal Festival Hall

Tosca review: Opera North triumphs again

by Melanie Eskenazi
A ground-breaking production with legendary singing and staging
Tosca review: Opera North triumphs again

Ariadne auf Naxos review: Exceptional singing in Opera North’s Fellini-inspired romp

by Melanie Eskenazi
Strauss’ tragicomedy of high and low art scores a hit in Leeds
Ariadne auf Naxos review: Exceptional singing in Opera North’s Fellini-inspired romp

Dead Man Walking is movingly rendered by the Guildhall School of Music & Drama

by Sam Smith
An opera that leaves us with questions, and a production that effectively answers them
Dead Man Walking is movingly rendered by the Guildhall School of Music & Drama

The Vision String Quartet is as precise as it is masterly at the Wigmore Hall

by Sam Smith
A recital that, in the best possible way, produced more questions than answers!
The Vision String Quartet is as precise as it is masterly at the Wigmore Hall

BBC Symphony Orchestra review: Stars and Stripes forever

by Keith McDonnell
Gemma New leads the BBCSO in an exhilarating evening of American music spanning the decades at the Barbican
BBC Symphony Orchestra review: Stars and Stripes forever

Alexander’s Feast marks Handel’s birthday in glorious style at St George’s, Hanov...

by Sam Smith
Could there have been a better start to the 2023 London Handel Festival?
Alexander’s Feast marks Handel’s birthday in glorious style at St George’s, Hanov...

Rusalka review: The Royal Opera’s new staging is fabulously well sung, but dramatical...

by Keith McDonnell
Asmik Grigorian and David Butt Philip are spellbinding in an evening of musical riches
Rusalka review: The Royal Opera’s new staging is fabulously well sung, but dramatical...

The Rhinegold review: ENO’s new production blazes with originality and theatrical...

by Keith McDonnell
This new staging is a staggering accomplishment by the entire company
The Rhinegold review: ENO’s new production blazes with originality and theatrical...

Carmen review: A society on the verge of a nervous breakdown

by Keith McDonnell
ENO is firing on all cylinders with this unmissable, scorching revival of Bizet’s masterpiece
Carmen review: A society on the verge of a nervous breakdown

BBCSO present a quirky programme of Bacewicz, bassoon and Dvořák

by Barry Creasy
Rare, but welcome music at the Barbican
BBCSO present a quirky programme of Bacewicz, bassoon and Dvořák