Review: LA TRAVIATA, London Coliseum
Much shorter than Richard Eyre’s three-hour plus version for the ROH, Peter Konwitschny’s La Traviata perhaps should be renamed La Trav or L’ Abbreviata. Its breathless sprint over 105 uninterrupted minutes takes more than it gives but there’s an admirable boldness to it all.
PETER GRIMES Will Open English National Opera 2023/24 Season
This September, opening the 2023/24 Season at the London Coliseum, the English National Opera (ENO) presents Benjamin Britten’s searing psychological drama, Peter Grimes. David Alden’s production returns for its second revival. Following its premiere in 2009, this production won a South Bank Sky Arts Award in the Opera category.
National Youth Orchestras Of Scotland Announces New Fund To Raise £20,000 In Honour Of Richard Chester MBE
The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS) has today, 9 May, announced the launch of a new fund to create inspirational, world-class opportunities for aspiring young musicians. Based on the principles of commitment and excellence on which NYOS was founded, the Richard Chester Creativity Fund honours the life and legacy of Richard Chester MBE, the visionary Director of NYOS from 1987 to 2007 who sadly passed away in 2020.
The English National Opera Appoints Interim Chief Executive
Jenny Mollica has been appointed Interim Chief Executive of the English National Opera (ENO). She will take up the post in September following the departure of the current Chief Executive, Stuart Murphy, who confirmed the extension of his contract in October of last year. Jenny will work closely alongside Annilese Miskimmon, ENO Artistic Director, Martyn Brabbins, ENO Music Director and the ENO Board.
Review: BEOWULF, Barbican Hall
“I shall gain me glory, or grim-death shall take me”, says the titular hero in the thousand-year-old epic poem. Last night, however, it was the turn of composer Iain Bell to seek a different kind of glory as his new adaptation of Beowulf (commissioned by the BBC) made its world première at Barbican Hall. Conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus was Martyn Brabbins, and they were joined by actor Ruth Wilson as narrator, and tenor Charles Styles (standing in for Stuart Skelton at short notice).
Photos: Go Inside Rehearsal for DMITRY at Marylebone Theatre
Marylebone Theatre presents a realisation of an unfinished, visionary work by Friedrich Schiller. Dmitry (based on the peerless dramatist’s incomplete play Demetrius), will launch the bold new venue’s inaugural season and will star The Crown’s Tom Byrne (The Crown, Netflix; Twelfth Night, RSC; Black Mirror, Netflix) in the title role. See photos from inside rehearsal.