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Reviews
Yu Kosuge (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 17 December 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Piano playing of depth, concentration and sharp focus.”
Photo Credit: Marco Borggreve.
Little Red Riding Hood by Katherine Chandler, The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, to 06 Jan 2024. Birmingham B1 2EP. 4****: Joanna Jarvis.
“Bad can be good!”
Photo Credit: Chris Askey.
Kazuki Conducts Beethoven’s Eroica, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wednesday 13 December 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Fabulous music, not so sure about the concept.”
I Fagiolini and Brecon Baroque, Lakeside, Nottingham, 14 December 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“I Fagiolini celebrate both the spiritual and the earthy sides of Christmas.”
The Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 05 December 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“The Hallé on spectacular form under conductor Chloé van Soeterstède.”
Handel Messiah, Ex Cathedra Choir & Baroque Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 03 December 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An exceptionally fine reading of this perennial favourite.”
Box of Delights: John Masefield - adapted by Piers Torday, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon, Runs: ‘till 07 January 2024. 4****: Roderick Dungate.
“As tasty as buttered eggs!”
Photo: Courtesy of RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Symphony Orchestra of India, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 01 December, 2023. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A diverse programme including an interesting experiment in East-West fusion.”
Manchester Collective, Lakeside, Nottingham, 30 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Manchester Collective in a typically innovative and inspiring programme.”
Ariel Lanyi (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 26 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Ariel Lanyi: piano playing of probing intelligence.”
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 25 November 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“The RLPO on top form in repertoire both serious and spectacular.”
Aaron Azunda Akugbo, Lakeside, Nottingham, 23 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Virtuosity and variety from two engaging musicians.”
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Powerful and complete readings of two romantic masterpieces .’
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO, Photograph of Francesca Dego.
Bach and Schumann, CBSO, Symphony Hall. Birmingham. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘A stunning performance of a Schumann symphony, but some tensions between an early music approach by a modern orchestra in their performance of Bach.’
Cowbois: Charlie Josephine, RSC, The Swan: Stratford Upon Avon, till 18 November, 2023. 4****: Roderick Dungate.
‘Drama goes where other debates cannot reach.’
Photo: Courtesy of RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Verdi’s Falstaff, Opera North,Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 11 November, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
‘Opera North’s Falstaff is a production where all the darts score a bullseye.’
La Traviata – Verdi, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 11 November, 2023, On tour ‘til 25 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘A glittering deeply moving performance of a much-loved classic.’
Photo: courtesy of WNO
La Rondine, Opera North, Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 10 November, 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
‘Opera North mines a Puccini rarity and unearths its treasure.’
Scottish Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 08 November, 2023. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Upstairs downstairs, brooding fjords and highland flings; a multifaceted afternoon in the concert hall.’
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO.
Trio Gaspard. Lakeside, Nottingham, 09 November, 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
‘Trio Gaspard: 18th century elegance and 19th century intensity.’