A night at the opera with an early Wagner opera

Tannhäuser Royal Opera House 7 February 2023 The opening sounds of the familiar overture allayed my initial annoyance that the principal Stefan Vinke was indisposed and would be acting but not singing with Norbert Ernst singing the role from the side of the stage. This happened at Glyndebourne last year at The Wreckers and while…

Can’t stop reviewing

So following our trip to Glyndebourne, we’ve twice been to the other famous country house opera venue Garsington Opera at Wormsley, the estate of Mark Getty in Buckinghamshire. The operas take place in a fabulous glass pavilion where natural light and open access are often used to good effect by the production teams. There was…

Review 2 – Kat’a Kabanova at Glyndebourne

GLYNDEBOURNE IN JUNE Following his review of a filmed concert by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in January, Mike Raggett was able to attend a Glyndebourne event in person in June. Here’s what he saw. Kat’a Kabanova by Laos Janacek directed by Damiano Michieletto conducted by Robin Ticciati with the London Philharmonic Orchestra…

New string to the bow?

Perhaps a new career beckons … A bit of context.I am a big fan of an orchestra called the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. I’m a ‘friend’ for priority booking and occasional special treats one of which is monthly sessions in pubs (Zoom for the last year) to meet the members of the band so…