THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL: Roderic Dunnett previews the 2024 edition of the UK's oldest music festival, 27 July until 4 August.
VIDEO PODCAST: John Dante Prevedini leads a discussion about The Creative Spark, including contributions from Ryan Ash, Sean Neukom, Adrian Rumson, Stephen Francis Vasta, David Arditti, Halida Dinova and Andrew Arceci.
FROM ROME: From December 2009 until March 2023, the late Giuseppe Pennisi sent us regular reports from the Italian opera and classical music scene.
Romantic French composer Léo Delibes was born in Saint-Germain-du-Val on 21 February 1836. He studied with Adolphe Adam at the Paris Conservatoire then worked as a rehearsal accompanist, chorus master and organist. He first came to notice with his cantata Algers, but it was the ballet Coppélia that brought him real fame. He was never in good health and died on 16 January 1891, aged only fifty-four.
Ensemble. Merging Scores with Care - Giuseppe Pennisi enjoys the ballet 'Il Corsaro'
Classical music news. Obituary - Mady Mesplé (1931-2020)
Ensemble. Highly Promising Talent - Katie Gilbert, Esther Beard and Edward Leung at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Two Ballets - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences a new dance in Rome
Ensemble. Tonal Refinement - Christmas music from Derby Concert Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Nostalgic and Enthralling - A Joan Sutherland portrait, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a fitting tribute to the singing legend from Australia ...'
Record Box. Great Entertainment - Stokowski conducts ballet music, heard by Patric Standford