| Royal College of Music - London | 24 April 2024 |
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Performance reviews
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Don Giovanni TenorioRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A fizzing production of Gazzaniga’s rarely seen take on Don Giovanni |
 26 Nov 23 / The Observer |
A highly worthwhile project, fascinating to serious fans of opera in illuminating the byways of the core repertoire |
| 25 Nov 23 / Classical Source |
The other Don Giovanni: Gazzaniga's take on the legendary lothario at the RCM |
| 23 Nov 23 / Bachtrack |
Barnum's BirdRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 1 | |
UK premiere of Barnum’s Bird at the Royal College of Music |
| 2 Jul 23 / Opera Today |
L'Enfant et les SortilègesRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 4 | |
A ‘fantastic’ Respighi-Ravel double bill at the Royal College of Music |
| 17 Mar 23 / Opera Today |
Nightmares dressed as daydreams: Respighi and Ravel at the Royal College of Music |
| 17 Mar 23 / Bachtrack |
The sizeable cast give generally characterful accounts of each work |
| 16 Mar 23 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
Two fairytale-operas come together to create both enchantment and danger |
| 15 Mar 23 / The Arts Desk |
La bella dormente nel boscoRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 4 | |
A ‘fantastic’ Respighi-Ravel double bill at the Royal College of Music |
| 17 Mar 23 / Opera Today |
Nightmares dressed as daydreams: Respighi and Ravel at the Royal College of Music |
| 17 Mar 23 / Bachtrack |
The sizeable cast give generally characterful accounts of each work |
| 16 Mar 23 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
Two fairytale-operas come together to create both enchantment and danger |
| 15 Mar 23 / The Arts Desk |
Orphée aux EnfersRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Bakker and the terrific ensemble cast surely play it just as Offenbach intended |
| 25 Nov 22 / Opera Today |
FlightRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A wonderful performance of a fantastic modern work |
| 6 Jul 22 / OperaWire |
Taking wing at the Royal College of Music |
| 2 Jul 22 / Opera Today |
Hansel und GretelRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Candy and Communism |
| 18 Mar 22 / Bachtrack |
A brilliant Hansel and Gretel from Stephen Barlow and the Royal College of Music |
| 17 Mar 22 / Opera Today |
Die ZauberflöteRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 1 | |
A living, breathing account of Die Zauberflöte at the Royal College of Music |
| 2 Dec 21 / Seen and Heard |
Il mondo della lunaRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
The cast is excellent, with several outstanding performances |
| 4 Dec 19 / Music OMH |
This underrated work bubbles with irresistible colour and vitality, as does the production |
| 2 Dec 19 / Classical Source |
RCM’s singers brim with youthful vivacity and enthusiam in a fabulous Haydn Il mondo della luna |
| 28 Nov 19 / Seen and Heard |
Trouble in TahitiRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A Berkeley/Bernstein double bill not to be missed |
| 28 Jun 19 / KCWtoday |
Stephen Unwin’s productions nail the Fifties efficiently |
| 28 Jun 19 / Classical Source |
A Dinner EngagementRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A Berkeley/Bernstein double bill not to be missed |
| 28 Jun 19 / KCWtoday |
Stephen Unwin’s productions nail the Fifties efficiently |
| 28 Jun 19 / Classical Source |
Robinson CrusoeRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Desert island delights at the RCM |
| 18 Mar 19 / Opera Today |
A hugely engaging production of an irrepressibly tuneful piece |
| 15 Mar 19 / Classical Source |
Who knew desert islands could be such tuneful fun? Offenbach's Robinson Crusoe at the RCM |
| 15 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
Le nozze di FigaroRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A lively, enthusiastic young cast for the RCM’s Figaro |
| 5 Dec 18 / Seen and Heard |
Sir Thomas Allen directs Figaro at the Royal College of Music |
| 30 Nov 18 / Opera Today |
A sparkling evening |
| 28 Nov 18 / Classical Source |
In the Locked RoomRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A primitive affair with a door standing alone on the stage |
| 5 Jul 18 / Classical Source |
Powerful & emotional stuff |
| 2 Jul 18 / Planet Hugill |
Tremendous stuff |
| 2 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
The LighthouseRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
As ghost operas go this is quite a page-turner |
| 5 Jul 18 / Classical Source |
Powerful & emotional stuff |
| 2 Jul 18 / Planet Hugill |
Tremendous stuff |
| 2 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
A Midsummer Night's DreamRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 4 | |
A double helping of Titania, Bottom and friends |
| 12 Mar 18 / The Observer |
Steel’s production has surprisingly scant dark disorder and no midsummer magic |
| 8 Mar 18 / Opera Today |
Having your Midsummer Night’s Dream and eating it |
| 8 Mar 18 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Benjamin Britten's recurring Dream, this time at the Royal College of Music |
| 7 Mar 18 / Bachtrack |
The Cunning Little VixenRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Harriet Eyley is a triumph as the Vixen |
| 3 Dec 17 / Classical Source |
Woodland tales |
| 30 Nov 17 / Bachtrack |
Les Mamelles de TiresiasRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Two short stage-works at either end of the French comic spectrum |
| 5 Jul 17 / Classical Source |
A French double-bill at the Royal College of Music |
| 1 Jul 17 / Opera Today |
Une Education ManquéeRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Two short stage-works at either end of the French comic spectrum |
| 5 Jul 17 / Classical Source |
A French double-bill at the Royal College of Music |
| 1 Jul 17 / Opera Today |
Les Fêtes d'HébéRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 10 | |
This ambitious production offered visual and aural enjoyment |
| 10 Apr 17 / Opera Today |
Rameau’s music is beautiful and plangent at times but his mythological subject matter is not involving |
| 9 Apr 17 / Express |
Jonathan Williams is one of the top Rameau experts in the country – and it showed |
| 8 Apr 17 / Valeria Vescina |
more reviews [+]
Les Fêtes d'Hébé is an unconvincing, unexceptional opéra-ballet |
| 8 Apr 17 / Telegraph |
Lebrun’s rather basic choreography proves curate’s-eggish |
| 8 Apr 17 / Independent |
Rameau wanted to charm and delight, and this succeeds |
| 8 Apr 17 / The Guardian |
This charming production erfectly captured the élan of the original |
| 7 Apr 17 / The Times |
A production of Rameau’s opera that was a pleasing example of European co-operation |
| 7 Apr 17 / Financial Times |
A for effort, but mixed achievement for an ambitious Les fêtes d'Hébé |
| 7 Apr 17 / Bachtrack |
Performances of Rameau's operas remain scarce, especially in the UK |
| 7 Apr 17 / Classical Source |
associated articles [+]
Rameau’s Les Fêtes d’Hébé: making a song and dance about it
It’s taken almost 300 years for the French composer’s genre-crossing opéra-ballet to come to the UK, with a Royal College of Music staging opening tomorrow. Why the wait?
It’s taken almost 300 years for the French composer’s genre-crossing opéra-ballet to come to the UK, with a Royal College of Music staging opening tomorrow. Why the wait?
La finta giardinieraRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Michael Rosewell conducted with meticulous control |
| 6 Dec 16 / Classical Source |
Fehr has created a beguiling comic caper |
| 6 Dec 16 / Opera Today |
Ensemble was tight throughout |
| 6 Dec 16 / Boulezian |
Hansel und GretelRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Myriddin Wannell’s designs featuring video cartoons of dismembered and tortured dolls are gruesome indeed |
| 17 Jul 16 / Express |
Outstanding, definitive Hänsel und Gretel at RCM worth seeing twice |
| 7 Jul 16 / Seen and Heard |
Out of all the deprivation and greed, the four main roles made their mark |
| 7 Jul 16 / Classical Source |
AriodanteRoyal College of MusicLondon Handel FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Worth attending purely to hear British players under Laurence Cummings’ direction |
| 18 Mar 16 / Opera Britannia |
Laurence Cummings urged the proceedings onwards at a brisk lick |
| 15 Mar 16 / Opera Today |
Well-sung but badly directed |
| 14 Mar 16 / Independent |
more reviews [+]
Katie Coventry easily secured the fireworks of Ariodante's part |
| 10 Mar 16 / Classical Source |
Ariodante at the RCM: in which technique is not enough |
| 10 Mar 16 / Bachtrack |
Die FledermausRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Cast B was thoroughly well rehearsed and completely at ease with their characters |
| 27 Nov 15 / Classical Source |
Peaches and Cream: A frothy Fledermaus at the Royal College of Music |
| 26 Nov 15 / Bachtrack |
Albert HerringRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A very wicked village |
| 7 Jul 15 / Bachtrack |
Strikingly imaginative version of this modern classic |
| 6 Jul 15 / Planet Hugill |
Nick Pritchard’s Albert easily presided over the whole evening |
| 4 Jul 15 / Classical Source |
Adriano in SiriaRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Entertaining, absorbing and much more than a scholar’s pet |
| 23 Apr 15 / The Spectator |
Dramatic revival |
| 20 Apr 15 / Planet Hugill |
A worthy revival of J.C. Bach's Adriano in Siria by Classical Opera |
| 18 Apr 15 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
An assured account of JC Bach’s forgotten work |
| 17 Apr 15 / The Guardian |
As Adriano, mezzo-soprano Rowan Hellier was appropriately restless and headstrong |
| 17 Apr 15 / Opera Today |
The music itself is hardly a forgotten gem |
| 17 Apr 15 / Classical Source |
The ‘London’ Bach opera was last performed 250 years ago |
| 16 Apr 15 / Independent |
Giove in ArgoRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 8 | 
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A lost Handel opera proves a revelation |
| 30 Mar 15 / The Observer |
An evening of sheer delight |
| 29 Mar 15 / Express |
Opera compiled from Handel’s earlier arias returns to the London stage for the first time in 276 years |
| 27 Mar 15 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
The most exciting revelation of all was the singing of Russian, soprano, Galina Averina |
| 27 Mar 15 / Opera Britannia |
Lost in the woods |
| 27 Mar 15 / Bachtrack |
An outstanding cast brings plenty of charisma to this sexy, unsettling piece of music theatre |
| 26 Mar 15 / The Guardian |
Cummings and his ensemble amply demonstrated its musical quality and dramatic viability |
| 25 Mar 15 / Classical Source |
The first modern-day performance of a little-known Handel opera |
| 25 Mar 15 / What's on Stage |
Die ZauberflöteRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Singing is in fine voice at the Royal College of Music, to judge from its Magic Flute |
| 27 Nov 14 / Classical Source |
Arianna in CretaRoyal College of MusicLondon Handel FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | |
A wonderful evening featuring young soloists garnered from the Royal College’s International Opera School |
| 17 Mar 14 / Opera Britannia |
The opera reminded us why it is often neglected but the heroic arias are among Handel’s best |
| 8 Mar 14 / Financial Times |
This production makes a strong case for its revival |
| 6 Mar 14 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
All lovers of Baroque opera should see this Handelian rarity |
| 5 Mar 14 / Classical Source |
This opera's characters and drama are far from convincing, but it was beautifully performed |
| 5 Mar 14 / The Guardian |
La Vie ParisienneRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 1 | |
If operetta floats your boat, this production is worth catching |
| 28 Jun 13 / Classical Source |
L'incoronazione di PoppeaRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Monteverdi’s shabby little shocker in high places is a sitting duck for radical rethinking |
| 4 Dec 12 / Classical Source |
Monteverdi masterpiece with Lulu-like heroine |
| 30 Nov 12 / Seen and Heard |
Le nozze di FigaroRoyal College of MusicNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A ‘traditional’ Le Nozze di Figaro |
| 3 Jul 12 / Seen and Heard |
This is a Figaro that presses all the right buttons |
| 2 Jul 12 / Classical Source |
| No more reviews |
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News & Articles
| Rameau’s Les Fêtes d’Hébé: making a song and dance about it |
It’s taken almost 300 years for the French composer’s genre-crossing opéra-ballet to come to the UK, with a Royal College of Music staging opening tomorrow. Why the wait? |
| 5 Apr 2017 / The Guardian |
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