A selection of 'children' articles

Spotlight. Three Surprises - Gerald Fenech recommends music by Mozart played by the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice. '... a diverse survey of Mozart's occasional music in excellent sound quality and attractive presentation ...'

Learning How to Play Again with 'The Nutcracker' - Jeffrey Neil shares some thoughts about Tchaikovsky's ballet, following a visit to Oakland Ballet's production in California, USA

Youth Engagement in Choral Music - Scott Butterly, who has grown up in the Anglican choral tradition, argues that choirs, in any form, allow young people to fully gain the benefits of classical music

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Behind the Wall of Sleep

Profile. Big Roles - Ron Bierman talks to American soprano Michelle Bradley

Ensemble. Distinctive Instrumental Sonorities - Mike Wheeler reports on David Pountney's re-staging of Janáček's 'The Cunning Little Vixen' for Opera North

Ensemble. A Bloody Story of Jealousy - Giuseppe Pennisi witnesses great success for Franco Zeffirelli's return to Rome

Classical music news - English Touring Opera - New productions of Donizetti's 'Lucrezia Borgia' and Rossini's 'Il viaggio a Reims' will tour in Spring 2023

Classical music news. July 2022 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our July 2022 newsletter - Youth Involvement in Classical Music

CD Spotlight. An Interesting Experience - 'Nervus Vagus' by Gintas K, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'It is a fascinating journey that takes about an hour.'

Ensemble. A Fairy-tale Opera for the 21st Century - Mike Wheeler experiences Jonathan Dove's 'The Enchanted Pig' at the Buxton Festival

Ensemble. A Fitting Environmentalist Update - Adam J Sacks listens to Prokofiev in Hong Kong

CD Spotlight. A Superb Set - The complete symphonies of Heitor Villa-Lobos, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Octogenarian Brazilian conductor Isaac Karabtchevsky's performances are fine and show no lack of passion or vigour.'

The Therapeutic Power of Music - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about Christmas in music for children in Italy

Ensemble. Perspectives: Words and Music - Mike Wheeler watches Buxton Festival's film 'Kate Whitley and Laura Attridge in conversation with Michael Williams', discussing the creation of the opera/oratorio 'Our Future, In Your Hands'

Ensemble. The Finest Musical Superglue - Mike Wheeler witnesses 'Energy', Sinfonia Viva's latest schools project

Classical music news. Obituary - Colin Mawby (1936-2019)

Classical music news. Obituary - Hossein Dehlavi (1927-2019)

CD Spotlight. Truly Lovely - Music by Petr Eben for girls' choir impresses Geoff Pearce. 'This great disc of an exceptional girls' choir performing the work of one of Bohemia's most important voices does not disappoint in any way ...'

CD Spotlight. Understated Sensuousness - Symphonies by Nikolay Myaskovsky intrigue Geoff Pearce. '... the Ural Youth Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Alexander Rudin) plays very well indeed, especially considering the age of the players. I am particularly impressed by the woodwind and brass, which never fail to impress.'

CD Spotlight. Quite Unusual - Orchestral storytelling by Jon Deak, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances here are very good, the music colourful and inventive, and I can imagine that this disc may appeal more to people with children than to adult listeners.'

Ensemble. Rhythms and Algorithms - Mike Wheeler was at Sinfonia Viva's latest schools project

Ensemble. A Fantastic Story - The children's opera 'Shackleton's Cat', enjoyed by Roderic Dunnett

CD Spotlight. Sparkle and Affection - American and British art songs, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a cause for constant enjoyment.'

Ensemble. Turandot for Children - Giuseppe Pennisi investigates a Puccini production with one hundred and fifty performances in twelve months

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Carefree - Czech Christmas Carols, enjoyed by Keith Bramich. '... the tunes, settings and performances are quite beautiful.'

CD Spotlight. Sheer Delight - Halida Dinova plays music for children, recommended by Howard Smith. '... palpable finesse.'

CD Spotlight. Simple but Profound - Mark Isaacs' Children's Songs impress Andrew Schartmann. '... listen closely to this charming creation.'

CD Spotlight. Mesmerizing Creations - Music by Anthony Piccolo, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... a well-rounded perspective on his musical style.'

Ensemble. Fierce Snarling - Sinfonia Viva's latest schools residency project, experienced by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Virtually Unknown - Piano music by Federico Ruiz, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Clara Rodríguez ... has the right touch and interpretation for all of Ruiz's many styles.'

CD Spotlight. Uncommonly Patronizing - A Stravinsky tale for children confuses Howard Smith. '... convoluted to say the least.'

Ensemble. Exciting Sonorities - Oliver Rudland's 'The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark', enjoyed by Robert Anderson and a six-year-old friend

Ensemble. Highly Atmospheric - Massenet's 'Werther', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Surprisingly Believable - Britten's 'The Turn of the Screw' impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Convincingly Pitched - Britten's 'The Turn of the Screw', heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Growing Up - Hans Werner Henze's 'Pollicino' thrills children and adults in Florence, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Spirited Performances - Santa Fe Opera's 'The Magic Flute' impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Elgar and Bax - A sepia album from World War I, heard by George Balcombe. '... intense emotion, beautifullly replicated ...'

Ensemble. 'Alceste' in the Madhouse - Giuseppe Pennisi files his last report from the 2010 Aix-en-Provence Festival

Ensemble. Terrific Pace and Direction - Verdi's 'Luisa Miller' at the Buxton Festival, recommended by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Total Confidence - Sinfonia Viva's summer schools project, 'Floratorio', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Colourful and Large Scale - Francesca Zamballo's production of 'Carmen', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Awakening of Nature - Mahler's Third Symphony, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Under the Tuscan Sun - Giuseppe Pennisi attends the beginning of the Tiroler Festspiele 2010

Ensemble. Difficult to Forget - Richard Strauss' 'Die Frau ohne Schatten', enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Major Delights - 'La traviata' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Truly Charming - John Sant'Ambrogio's 'The Day I Almost Destroyed the Boston Symphony, and Other Stories', read by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Very Welcome - The bicentennial 'Simon Boccanegra' in Parma, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

A Vision of Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8 - A poem by J Jean Mayfield

Ensemble. Shining Beauty - The current Italian season of Mozart's 'Idomeneo', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ask Alice - On the benefits of singing, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. In Full Voice - Britten's 'St Nicolas' at Canterbury Cathedral, enjoyed by Pippa Hare

Ensemble. The Quality of the Cooks - Verdi comic operas on stage, tasted by Giuseppe Pennisi

DVD Spotlight. A Rarity - Jonathan Dove's 'The Adventures of Pinocchio', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... considerable merits on display ...'

DVD Spotlight. Attractive and Skilful - Royal Opera's 'Hansel and Gretel', recommended by Patric Standford. '... a first class cast ...'

Ensemble. Tremendous Gusto - The Derby Bach Choir joins the 'Sing Hallelujah' project, reported by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Too Good to Miss - Robert Hugill was at the first night of Tchaikovsky's 'The Tsarina's Slippers' at Covent Garden

Ensemble. A Bold Piece - Jonathan Dove's 'Swanhunter', reviewed by Patric Standford

A dream come true - Carolyn Ellis on buying a new piano

Highly Articulate - American dramatic soprano Christine Brewer talks to Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Clarity of Texture - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra

Ensemble. Thought-provoking - Music by Harle and Maxwell Davies, heard by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Dramatic Essentials - 'Carmen' from Paris, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Student Life and Love - Puccini's 'La bohème' from Kentish Opera, enjoyed by Pippa Hare

Ensemble. A Complete Success - An evening long retelling of the 'Romeo and Juliet' story, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Unwavering Concentration - A 'Magic Flute' for children, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a very special production ...'

Ensemble. Squeals of Delight - LA Opera's 'Hansel and Gretel', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Passionate Sympathy - Another take on Opera North's 'Peter Grimes', by Mike Wheeler

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - School Orchestra

Ensemble. Roaring success - Malcolm Miller enjoys a children's concert by Dominic Harlan

Ask Alice - On cellists, politicians, children's musicals and sewer rats, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - orchestral players

Ensemble. A brief report from the Empty Quarter - Carl Czerny in Edmonton, by Gordon Rumson