Surgery never sounded so good Royal Academy of Music’s spring production this year was Die Zauberflöte. A potential pitfall for a student staging given the ubiquity of its music and the terrifying danger of missing a high F in der Hölle Rache. Despite the risks, the RAM carried it off with aplomb. Director Jamie Manton’s […]
About Andrew Lohmann
Mary, Queen of Scots – ENO
The rarely performed Mary, Queen of Scots (1973) made its London debut at ENO’s Coliseum. The Opera followed Mary’s short-lived reign as Scottish queen. Something of a synthesis between Shakespearean period drama and contemporary opera, betrayal, lust and schemes were centre stage.
Jenufa – Royal Ballet and Opera
Exceptional orchestral performance of Jenůfa amidst a bleak staging When the playwright Gabriela Preissová was first approached for permission to turn her play Její Pastorkyňa into an opera she was reluctant. Having been warned by a friend that opera will oppress or even suppress a play of the same name, Preissová wrote that her material […]
Tosca triumphs again – Royal Ballet and Opera
Tosca has one of the most gripping plots in opera, comfortable to follow and enthralling for any newcomer.
Die Fledermaus – Guildhall School of Music & Drama
For only £30 this music school production punches well above its weight. I can think of few other performances as constantly entertaining.
Die Fledermaus runs until November 11th
Academy of St Martin in the Fields – Season opening concert
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF) opened their 24/25 season with a return to their namesake home.
Jette Parker Artists Jukebox – Royal Ballet and Opera
A chance to see the latest intake of Jette Parker artists at the Royal Opera and Ballet – Jette Parker Artists Juke Box
Cai Lun Ein Heldenleben review – LSO St Lukes
Ein Heldenleben usually runs to around 45 minutes. Cai Lun Ein Heldenleben lasted two and a half hours including the interval. Much of this was the pre-show, during show, and post-show bloviation sessions from the director.
Fidelio – Royal Opera House – 2024
Is Fidelity to Fidelio essential? To what extent do we, as observers of injustice, have a responsibility to act? The new revival of Tobias Kratzer’s Fidelio production from the Royal Ballet and Opera seems to tacitly pose this question. As a concept, it does take Beethoven’s only opera to a new and interesting place. Originally […]
Purcell The Fairy Queen – The Sixteen
The Fairy Queen is purportedly an operatic adaption of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream but the two works have next to nothing in common. The Fairy Queen includes no Shakespeare but does include the addition of Gods, Spirits, Monkeys, the four seasons and Chinese dancers