Author: Mike Smith
WNO Blaze of Glory! mines a deep musical seam
I have to confess to not really looking forward to an opera about Welsh choirs and coal mines. What next, a contemporary dance about rugby? Oh, we’ve had that. I was very pleasantly surprised by Blaze of Glory!, although I think the name and the supporting artwork really does not do this entertaining musical justice….
Opera North appoints new executive director
Leeds-based opera company Opera North has appointed Henry Filloux-Bennett Executive Director. Henry is currently Executive Director and Deputy CEO of HOME in Manchester. Prior to this, he was the Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and previously the Head of Marketing at The Lowry and Head of Marketing &…
Welsh singers make Royal Opera history
Operatic history has been made this week with two Welsh singers taking the leading roles in Puccini’s Tosca at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, for the first time. Gwyn Hughes Jones, from Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey and Natalya Romaniw, from Swansea, sang the doomed lovers Mario Cavaradossi and Floria Tosca in the ever popular opera. The run…
A glorious debut, Tosca, Royal Opera
With the first pairing of British singers as Tosca and Cavaradossi in this Puccini opera at the Royal Opera since 1954 and the soprano’s debut, this promised to be a special Royal Opera evening. Then add the popular Erwin Schrott to this trio alongside Freddie De Tommaso and Natalya Romaniw in Jonathan Kent’s attractive, no-nonsense…
Bhekizizwe from Opera’r Ddraig
The strength of Bhekizizwe from Opera’r Ddraig, described as an operatic monodrama, is the performance by Themba Mvuta in the title role. I was going to say the only role, as this is a one person singing role, but the talented singer actually performs several characters in this story of a young person from a…
Natalya Romaniw to make Royal Opera debut
Natalya Romaniw makes her Royal Opera debut in the title role of Tosca this coming week. It may be a daunting prospect for any singer but the Swansea-born soprano feels the time is right and says she is more excited than nervous. “I used to watch performances at Covent Garden when I was a student…
WNO boss explains why Liverpool has been immediately axed – and more cuts will follow
November 24, 2022 by Mike Smith Welsh National Opera general director Aidan Lang has explained why the company has immediately pulled out of touring to Liverpool – and raised concerns further venue cancellations will follow. The move follows Arts Council of England announced a more than a third of its funding to the Cardiff-based touring company was…
Academy of Ancient Music announces 2022/23 season: ‘Tis nature’s voice
Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) has unveiled plans for its 2022/23 season. The orchestra presents a year-long exploration of the environment and our place within it, entitled ‘Tis nature’s voice. The season includes performances at the Barbican, Milton Court Concert Hall, West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge and The Apex in Bury St Edmunds. Tues 4 Oct 2022…
Anthony Hermus returns to conduct Opera North for Ariadne auf Naxos
Antony Hermus launched his 2022-23 season with his inaugural concert as Chief Conductor Designate ofthe Belgian National Orchestra on 9 September 2022 and returns to Opera North as Principal GuestConductor for new production of Ariadne auf Naxos (18 February – 24 March 2023) Conductor’s schedule this season includes world premieres of works by Unsuk Chin…
Full cast for Rape of Lucretia at Snape
Britten Pears Arts today announce full casting details for The Rape of Lucretia. This new staging of Benjamin Britten’s unsparing chamber opera opens at Snape Maltings, Suffolk as part of its Britten Weekend on 29 and 30 October, before this new production is on stage at the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House from 13-22 November….