NEWLY SPONSORED: Ensemble. Last Gasp of Boyhood. Roderic Dunnett investigates Jubilee Opera's A Time There Was for the Benjamin Britten centenary.
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ASK ALICE: Weekly, from 2003 until 2016/17, Alice McVeigh took on the role of classical music's agony aunt to answer questions on a surprising variety of subjects.
The German composer Engelbert Humperdinck was born in Siegburg on 1 September 1854 and died at Neustrelitz on 27 September 1921. His musical career was secure as an academician but his mark as a composer rested then and since on Hansel and Gretel, the only opera out of six to survive. Richard Wagner's influence on this popular children's opera was strong, but without knowledge of Humperdinck's other music we cannot determine its extent.
CD Spotlight. Hugely Educational - Christiane Karg's new album, heard by Keith Bramich. '... great clarity and precision in Christiane Karg's voice and sensitive support from Gerold Huber ...'
Ensemble. Nicely Alert - Sarah Beth Briggs and James Lisney in Nottingham, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Highly Promising Talent - Katie Gilbert, Esther Beard and Edward Leung at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Absolutely Enthralling - Music for brass and organ, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Barbara Bruns and the Thompson Brass Ensemble give dazzling performances full of compelling virtuosity and brilliantly executed musical stunts that never fail to surprise ...'
Ensemble. Lost in its own Forest - Engelbert Humperdinck's 'Hansel and Gretel' at Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Whipped Cream - Buxton Festival's 2014 Opera Gala, attended by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Bold and Daring - A new production of Wagner's 'Parsifal', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Tonal Refinement - Christmas music from Derby Concert Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
DVD Spotlight. Attractive and Skilful - Royal Opera's 'Hansel and Gretel', recommended by Patric Standford. '... a first class cast ...'
Ensemble. Tonal Luxuriance - Lawrence Budmen reports from Tanglewood 2009
Ensemble. Indelible Magic - Hansel and Gretel in New Zealand, experienced by Howard Smith
Ensemble. On Fine Form - Jeremy Hagan and the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Lustrous Sounds - Kurt Weill's 'The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny', reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Squeals of Delight - LA Opera's 'Hansel and Gretel', enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Ding, dong! The Witch is Dead - Humperdinck's opera 'Hansel and Gretel' in Cleveland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz