Clive Paget is a former Limelight Editor, now Editor-at-Large, and a tour leader for Limelight Arts Travel. Based in London after three years in New York, he writes for The Guardian, BBC Music Magazine, Gramophone, Musical America and Opera News. Before moving to Australia, he directed and developed new musical theatre for London’s National Theatre.
With nine new productions, three contemporary Aussie works, a Ring Cycle and Dame Julie – what’s not to like? Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
As I write, the final volume has been issued and Koopman’s latest labour of love has been completed. The job lot on 29 discs has simultaneously been released in a Buxtehude box (which of course is annoying for those of us who have meticulously collected over many years), but if you just want to dip your toe into the Master of Lübeck’s oeuvre you could do worse than pick up a single disc such as this and give it a whirl. Nothing in the series has been quite so revelatory for me as the unfailingly tuneful vocal works, most of which rarely emerge on disc. This volume comprises the usual mix of arias, cantatas and vocal-concertos, but focuses on the composer’s legendary ‘Abendmusik’ series designed to present religious texts outside of the context of church services as such. Highlights include the joyous Was Frag ich nach der Welt with its Alleluias bouncing along in gigue-time, a hummable Welt, Packe Dich with Dorothee Wohlgemuth and Miriam Feuersinger duetting delightfully on top, and an intricately varied Pange Lingua. Koopman’s flair for the improvisatory, attention to text and restoration of original keys makes for a highly engaging series of dramatic miniatures. His orchestral…
Sir Andrew Davis embraces the Bard while a host of starry soloists add to Melbourne’s imaginative line-up. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
A short history of Chekhov’s first major dramatic work. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
McVicar brews up an excellently cast comic cauldron of sex and social politics.
The SSO’s chief conductor chats to Limelight’s Editor Clive Paget about the thrills and spills of the year ahead. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
Messiaen is mixed with Adams, Ashkenazy with Dohnányi in David Robertson’s latest eclectic cocktail. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
The Polish pianist talks about growing up behind the Iron Curtain, battling with Bach and being his own worst critic.
Anderszewski, Qin and Dickson head an extraordinary musical evening.
From the ridiculous to the sublime, Townsville's 25th birthday bash is off with a bang.
Ahead of Opera Australia’s opening, the no-nonsense British director explains why Mozart matters. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
Rattle’s wizardry conjures ethereal Debussy and earth-shattering Bruckner.
The superstar tenor criticises his former label for deceptively undermining his new Puccini album on Sony. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
