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.
VIDEO PODCAST: Discussion about Bernard Haitink (1929-2021), Salzburg, Roger Doyle's Finnegans Wake Project, the English Symphony Orchestra, the Chopin Competition Warsaw, Los Angeles Opera and other subjects in our hour-long November 2021 video.
British opera and theatre director Richard Jones was born in London on 7 June 1953.
Ensemble. A Dark Lady - Tchaikovsky's 'Queen of Spades' appeals to Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Unlucky in Love - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Pisa for The Tales of Hoffmann
DVD Spotlight. Conviction and Passion - Britten's 'Peter Grimes' at Teatro alla Scala, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a welcome centenary release.'
Ensemble. Innovative Dramaturgy - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the annual Munich Opera Festival
Ensemble. Dramatic Singing - 'Peter Grimes' live from Milan in HD, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Superb Realms - Puccini's 'Il Trittico', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. An Impressive Achievement - Berlioz's 'The Trojans' at Berlin's Deutsche Oper, assessed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. A Riotous Production - Mark Anthony Turnage's 'Anna Nicole', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Bewildering Variety - 'The Love of Three Oranges' at Grange Park Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Black Comedy - Prokofiev's 'The Gambler' impresses Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Inhibited by Cleverness - 'Cav and Pag' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Companion Pieces - A Ravel / Puccini double bill, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Vivid energy - Gerald Barry's new opera 'Petra von Kant', reviewed by Robert Hugill