Tales of Hoffman at the Royal Opera House review: an engaging and thought-provoking production 4/5 Surreal sets and exuberant lighting powerfully underscore this engaging trio of love stories Evening Standard · Nov 8, 2024
Groping, greed and the lust for great power: what Wagner’s Ring Cycle tells us about Trump v Harris US politics may lack swords and spears, dragons and talking birds, but Wagner’s tale of money, power, rivalry and grudges still carries striking parallels with the US elections The Guardian - UK · Oct 28, 2024
Composer Max Richter: ‘I’m a low-key raver! I love all kinds of music’ The creator of the most streamed classical album of all time on working with Margaret Atwood, enjoying Eurovision, and uniting people through music The Guardian - UK · Oct 20, 2024
The week in classical: Eugene Onegin; Cavalleria rusticana; The Acts of Brízida Vaz/You Can’t Kill the Spirit– review An experimental staging of Tchaikovsky’s opera brings fresh ideas and a few misses, ambitious community opera thrives in south London and a Cornish company goes nuclear The Guardian - UK · Sep 28, 2024
Eugene Onegin review – stripped back staging is compelling and probing Ted Huffman’s unfussy new production of Tchaikovsky’s opera is detailed and insightful. Kristina Mkhitaryan’s Tatyana is a particular highlight among a strong cast The Guardian - UK · Sep 25, 2024
Ballet star Joseph Sissens: ‘I’d be in this world of gross privilege, and then I’d go visit my brother in prison’ As the Royal Ballet’s newly minted principal, the dancer is on a mission to challenge the industry’s underlying racism from the inside. He discusses his first steps – and the role of his dreams The Guardian - UK · Sep 24, 2024
Pet Shop Boys' 10 greatest songs ranked, from It’s a Sin to West End Girls The legendary British pop duo are playing a string of concerts at the Royal Opera House this week Evening Standard · Jul 24, 2024
Countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński: ‘Breakdancing feeds into my performances – music dictates the way you move on stage’ The singer on his high voice, his forthcoming Proms debut and his other lives – as a breakdancer, skateboard champion and Vogue model The Guardian - UK · Jul 7, 2024
Andrea Chénier review – Pappano ends on a high with this sensational, thrilling revival David McVicar’s 2015 staging of Giordano’s French Revolution opera is the final production of Antonio Pappano’s tenure as music director of the Royal Opera. With leads Jonas Kaufmann and Sondra Radvanovsky, it is an exciting, affecting evening The Guardian - UK · May 31, 2024
The week in classical: Riot Symphony; L’Olimpiade; LSO/Tilson Thomas review – humanity and hope Pussy Riot and a young anti-Nazi protester inspire an exhilarating world premiere; an offstage stand-in steals the show in Irish National Opera’s latest elegant Vivaldi; and the LSO rallies around a much-loved conductor The Guardian - UK · May 18, 2024
32 of the best red dresses ever worn on the red carpet Wearing red on the red carpet can be a bold move, but these celebrities nailed it... Woman & Home · May 11, 2024
Royal Ballet and Opera announces ambitious new season – and name change 2024-25 programme includes premieres of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s opera Festen and Wayne McGregor’s Margaret Atwood ballet MaddAddam The Guardian - UK · Apr 30, 2024
The week in classical: Carmen; National Youth Chamber Choir/ OAE/Jeannin; LSO/ Roth review – from Habanera to doo-wop Aigul Akhmetshina steals the show in Damiano Michieletto’s uneven new 70s-set Bizet. And in a good week for world premieres, four composers take on Handel while the London Symphony Orchestra channels death metal The Guardian - UK · Apr 13, 2024
‘Misguided wokeism’ puts people off opera, says top London conductor LSO’s Antonio Pappano says many in UK are ‘embarrassed’ by art form and suspicious of cultural achievements The Guardian - UK · Apr 11, 2024
Evening Standard · Apr 10, 2024 Whatever comes next for gaming it's going to happen in London – we're world leading The capital’s creative sectors are taking advantage of everything the gaming sector has to offer: the result is a blossoming of cultural innovation
The Guardian - UK · Apr 7, 2024 Carmen review – Aigul Akhmetshina is electrifying in simmering, naturalistic staging Conjuring the oppressive Mediterranean heat and the claustrophobia of a fraying close-knit community, Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Bizet’s tragedy is rich with drama and potent
The Guardian - UK · Apr 7, 2024 Swan Lake; Danses Concertantes/Different Drummer/Requiem – review The Royal Ballet’s long-running and rather cumbersome Swan Lake is elevated by the dancers’ artistry, while a fine Kenneth MacMillan triple bill deserves more performances
The Guardian - UK · Mar 23, 2024 The week in classical: Our Mother; Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha; Madama Butterfly – review Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater is reimagined for the stage; the South African soprano scales the heights from Strauss to The Sound of Music; and Asmik Grigorian is a shattering Butterfly
The Guardian - UK · Mar 22, 2024 Equality groups urge cultural elite to give up Garrick Club membership Campaigners call for ‘outdated structures’ that undermine progress and encourage inequality to be dismantled
The Guardian - UK · Mar 18, 2024 Garrick Club’s men-only members list reveals roll-call of British establishment Exclusive: Details made public for first time prompt anger over how many influential figures belong to club that bars women
Wallpaper · Feb 12, 2024 The Royal Ballet celebrates new talent in choreography with edgy set design The Royal Ballet Festival of New Choreography encompasses performances and events at the Royal Opera House in London
The Guardian - UK · Jan 27, 2024 The week in classical: La bohème; Family Ties: The Schumanns and the Mendelssohns; Treske Quartet – review Royal Opera House; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Conway Hall, LondonPuccini’s genius shines through as his centenary year gets under way. Elsewhere, a good week for the Mendelssohns, and a Carrot Revolution
The Guardian - UK · Jan 26, 2024 La Bohème review – Angela Gheorghiu reprises a legendary Mimì This revival of Richard Jones’s 2017 staging sees the diva return to the stage and the role that made her name, and if Gheorghiu doesn’t quite sparkle as she did 30 years ago, there is superb support from her fellow bohemians
The Independent UK · Dec 24, 2023 How The Nutcracker became the most popular ballet in the world – and a holiday colossus At dance companies around the world, ‘Nutcracker’ season is in full swing. Clémence Michallon speaks to dancers and critics about the show that has become a staple across countries and generations
The Guardian - UK · Dec 23, 2023 The week in classical: Hansel and Gretel; London Handel Players; La Nativité du Seigneur – review Humperdinck’s sweet-toothed favourite wins at least one new fan; the joy is contagious in Bach’s Magnificat; and the Christmas story as imagined by Messiaen