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21 Posts
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Report from Pesaro 2024
There’s a good reason why Gioachino Rossini’s Bianca e Falliero is rarely performed. It is long, dramatically weak, and the music can be repetitive – some of the most interesting parts are actually borrowed from the composer’s La Donna del
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Finding China: An Interview With Nicholas Smith
Nicholas Smith went to China over 30 years ago, his Cambridge music degree fresh in his hand, initially as a VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) volunteer with a two-year contract in China to teach English. Teaching English led to learning Chinese
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Puccini in the Amphitheatre: Greek National Opera’s Tosca
Greek National Opera ended its season with Tosca, given outdoors at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus amphitheatre, located under the Acropolis wall. The stage is unusual in that it’s wide but not very deep, there are no wings, and the
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Grigory Sokolov Dispensed Magic in Frankfurt
To say one witness magic at Sokolov’s concerts is no exaggeration. Only one day after Krystian Zimerman gives a recital in Wuppertal, Grigory Sokolov is to perform in Frankfurt – this opportunity simply cannot be missed, not to mention coincidentally
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Krystian Zimerman in Wuppertal
Anyone who tried to follow Krystian Zimerman’s concerts would agree that it’s a formidable challenge – a limited number of engagements every year, no general manager, and no official website listing his appearances. However, it’s always something to listen to
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Giorgi Gigashvili Wigmore Debut – Original but More Control Needed
Giorgi Gigashvili – 17th Arthur Rubinstein Competition Giorgi Gigashvili made his name by capturing the second prize at the Rubinstein Competition in 2023, where he also garnered his audience with his daring interpretations and commanding stage presence. I’ve been observing
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Lise de la Salle, Rakitina, BBCSO
Death & Fate Met with Uneven Playing
The Barbican Centre witnessed contemplations on death and fate this evening (May 17, 2024). Under the baton of Anna Rakitina, the BBC Symphony Orchestra was set to perform the London premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s The Wrath of God and Rachmaninoff’s
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Alexander Gavrylyuk at Wigmore Hall
Appointed artist-in-residence at the Wigmore Hall for the 2023/24 season, Ukrainian-born Australian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk stands out as one of the most promising pianists of his generation – I mean, you have to be pretty good to receive standing ovations
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