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Reviews
Bruckner, Palestrina & Allegri – Ex Cathedra, Town Hall, Birmingham, Sunday 13 October 2023, 5✩✩✩✩✩. Review David Gray & Paul Gray
“Bruckner given an interesting contextualisation.”
Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), Persona Arts, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham. Final performance 13 July 2024, 3✩✩✩. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A mostly convincing performance of Wagner’s early masterwork.”
Hamilton - Birmingham Hippodrome, 28 June 2024, until 31 August, then on tour, 4✩✩✩✩. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An epic piece of story telling.”
Photo Credit: Danny-Kaan
The Wizard of Oz, Birmingham Hippodrome, 12 June 2024, ‘till 16 June 2024 then on tour until 11 August 2024, 5✩✩✩✩✩. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An energetic and current realisation of this classic story.”
Barber & Rachmaninoff, CBSO, Symphony Hall Birmingham, 13 June 2024, 4✩✩✩✩. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Emotional the technical fireworks in an impressive performance of Barber’s Cello masterwork.”
Vespers of the Blessed Earth, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A profound and thoughtful new work followed by a revelatory reading of an established masterpiece.”
Old World Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 29 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Virtuosic violin and stirring symphonic playing.”
Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 21 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“After a lack-lustre start, this concert picked up pace and energy.”
New World Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 15 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A longing for home meets the wonder of a new world” @ Lucy Walker, CBSO Programme Notes
Sister Act – A Divine Musical Comedy, Birmingham Hippodrome, 13 May ‘till 18 May 2024, then touring. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A heart-warming and polished iteration of this solid, well put together show.”
Death in Venice, Benjamin Britten/Myfanwy Piper, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 11 May 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ David Gray & Paul Gray
“A triumphant production of Britten’s late masterpiece.”
Photo Credit: Johan-Persson
Cosi Fan Tutte – Mozart/Da Ponte, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 10 May 2024: For the musical performance.5✩✩✩✩✩ for the production itself – 1✩ Review: David Gray.
“Beautiful singing and impressive acting marred by a seriously naff production.”
Image courtesy of WNO
Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, Birmingham Hippodrome, 30 April 2024 until 04 May 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray
“A powerful and moving show that is still as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.”
Centre stage: Mendelssohn String Octet: CBSO Centre, Birmingham, 26 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An energetic and convincing reading of Mendelssohn’s youthful masterwork.”
Britten & Tchaikovsky, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 17 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Overall: a dreamy concert about dreaming.”
Dresden Philharmonic, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tuesday 16 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Lush Russian romanticism contrasted with Mid-20th Century Russian angst.”
Photo Credit: Bjoern Kadenbach
Good Friday St John Passion with Ex Cathedra, Symphony Hall Birmingham, 29 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A compelling and atmospheric reading of this mighty work.”
Fauré Requiem, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Classical, Birmingham 21 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A concert including dazzling virtuosity and profound spirituality.”
Photo Credit: Andrew Fox, CBSO, photo of: Alexandre Bloch
Wicked, The Birmingham Hippodrome, 06 March 2024 until 07 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An undeniable spectacle with a deep emotional well at its heart.”
Photo Credit : Mark Senior