Directed by Frederic Wake-Walker Conducted by John Butt Libretto by Errollyn Wallen ★★★ Billing itself as a sequel of sorts, Errollyn Wallen’s new libretto Dido’s Ghost not only begins where Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas concludes, but also seeks to entwine the two. In doing so, it offers a performance of the original that is intermittently stitched into the new production. Through flashback and … Continue reading Dido’s Ghost – Edinburgh International Festival
Written by Igor Stravinsky ★★★★ Lue, jouée et dansée (to be read, played, and danced) – the only manner in which Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale is to be shared, or so they say. It is a darkly humorous story of Faustian bargains and the value of both simplicity and the heart. Nicola Benedetti’s closing performance as the Edinburgh International Festival’s artist in … Continue reading The Soldier’s Tale – Edinburgh International Festival
Conducted by Dalia Stasevska Accompanied by The BBC Symphony Orchestra ★★★ After a two-year wait, here we are. Open to the elements of Scotland within one of three newly constructed Edinburgh International Festival venues, The Opening Concert is a merit of dedication, adoration, and the intimacy of live, in-person music and performance. Behind the revelry and fanfare, and beneath … Continue reading The Opening Concert – Edinburgh International Festival
Produced by Second Body ★★★★ What any of us would surrender for the chance to speak with a departed loved one, even for just one moment. Mythos is founded on the concept of speaking to those beyond the veil, music a tribute to them. Styx, an award-winning concert experience of storytelling, centring itself around family, loss, … Continue reading Styx – Assembly Spiegeltent Palais Du VARIÉTÉ
Music and Lyrics by Dave Malloy Directed by Alex Sutton ★★★★ No matter the talent, the fame or influence, there is one thing we all share in common: fear. Even Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, a composer so synonymous with his craft that even those who couldn’t hum an arrangement of his will still recognise the … Continue reading Preludes in Concert – Southwark Playhouse
Written & Performed by Will Pickvance Directed by Lu Kemp ★★★★ Capturing the nuances of live music is a difficult feat over a digital medium. In an era of instant gratification and streaming, music is the most accessible art form. Yet, Perth Theatre's live performance of First Piano on the Moon will likely remind those of the … Continue reading First Piano On The Moon – Perth Theatre
Written by Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss Directed by Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage History is widely written by men; no wonder we didn't pay attention in school. Unless you have had the misfortune of a beheading or being pushed into a nunnery by your gout-suffering brut of a husband, Six is the concert musical sensation which … Continue reading SIX – Festival Theatre
Piano & Conduction by Barrie Kosky Performed by Komische Oper Berlin When it comes to Yiddish culture, it’s true what they say – they made Hollywood. They built Broadway. There is not a composer or lyricist creating today in Western culture who was not, indirectly or otherwise, influenced in some way by Yiddish musicians, singers … Continue reading Forget Me Not – Royal Lyceum Theatre
Led by the Massed Gaelic Choirs of Scotland Over fifty thousand individuals reportedly speak Gaelic throughout Scotland. As an indigenous language, it’s official status is not recognised by either the UK nor European Union, though thanks to the Gaelic Language (Scotland) 2005 Act it is here, to an extent. Attempts to revitalise it’s use are … Continue reading Glòir @ The Usher Hall
