PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS:
The late Patric Standford may have written these short pieces deliberately to provoke our feedback. If so, his success is reflected in the rich range of readers' comments appearing at the foot of most of the pages.
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Ensemble. Lolita in Jerusalem - Elena Stikhina in Teatro alla Scala's new production of 'Salome' by Richard Strauss impresses Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Salome and the Stones - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his first report from the Salzburg Summer Festival
Ensemble. Sex and Blood in Jerusalem - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on the new production of 'Salome' in Leipzig
Musical Prowess - Robert Anderson's 'Opera Nights and Nightmares', read by Gerald Fenech
Ensemble. Scintillating Overtones - Maria Nockin describes the best 'Salome' she's seen in a decade
Ensemble. Eros and Gospels - Giuseppe Pennisi was in Naples for Richard Strauss' 'Salome'
CD Spotlight. Varied Mythology - Deutsche Grammophon's Strauss opera compilation, sampled by Robert Anderson. '... a hugely enjoyable set ...'
DVD Spotlight. First Rate - Richard Strauss' 'Salome', recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... fine and emotionally sapping ...'
Ensemble. Imaginative Harmonies - Richard Strauss's 'Salome' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Firmly in Period - Grange Park Opera's 'Madama Butterfly', reviewed by Robert Hugill
CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Melodious - Richard Strauss operatic scenes, heard by Maria Nockin. '... an iridescent wave of vocal color.'
Ensemble. Young Purity - A Covent Garden 'Salome' revival, reviewed by Robert Hugill
CD Spotlight. Musical Finesse - Songs by Gregg Kallor, recommended by Howard Smith. 'Go to the top of the class.'
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival
CD Spotlight. Admirable Devotion - Sibelius songs, appreciated by Robert Anderson
Record Box. Many Moods - Orchestral music by Glazunov, recommended by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. A creditable performance - Richard Strauss's 'Salome' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble - a glorious dip in the grotesque. Roderic Dunnett at Welsh National Opera's revival of 'Salome'
CD Spotlight - Much to enchant. '... here he has found worthy interpreters.' Strauss songs, with Robert Anderson
Cultural flowering - Malcolm Miller in conversation with Hanna Munitz, General Director of New Israeli Opera (concluded from last week)
Beyond Brussels - Roderic Dunnett continues his visit to de Vlaamse Opera