British pop duo the Pet Shop Boys have unveiled their first ballet score, a dance work based on the Hans Christian Andersen story The Most Incredible Thing. It is a fairytale about a ruler who offers … [Read more...] about So it’s not The Most Incredible Thing after all
Guardian
Elizabeth Taylor: selection from a life… what today’s press has been saying, her best films and her changing look
Today's press A London-born beauty who never lost her clipped, clean way of speaking, Ms. Taylor possessed vivid features known to three generations of filmgoers: Raven hair, dark eyebrows, ivory … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Taylor: selection from a life… what today’s press has been saying, her best films and her changing look
Steven McRae ignites the Covent Garden stage
The Times review opens with, Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody, the opening salvo of the Royal Ballet’s latest triple bill, was created in 1980 to mark the 80th birthday of the Queen Mother. It was also … [Read more...] about Steven McRae ignites the Covent Garden stage
Lost 450-year-old mass rockets up the British charts
A sumptuous first recording of a long-lost 450-year-old Italian Renaissance mass written for 40 different vocal parts has soared onto British pop charts a week after its release. The recording by … [Read more...] about Lost 450-year-old mass rockets up the British charts
3-D has rarely seemed as gimmicky as in “Carmen in 3D’’
We're promised "the best seat in the house" but that turns out to be a wheelchair moving around six feet in front of the performers and rarely straying beyond the proscenium. Furthermore, this … [Read more...] about 3-D has rarely seemed as gimmicky as in “Carmen in 3D’’
First reviews are out of Wheeldon’s Alice at the Royal Ballet
Neil Norman for The Daily Express has no doubt: I predict that Christopher Wheeldon’s triumphant production of Lewis Carroll’s immortal classic will become the must-see ballet for children and adults … [Read more...] about First reviews are out of Wheeldon’s Alice at the Royal Ballet
Joyce DiDonato’s new CD “Diva, Divo” celebrates the vast and fabulous world of the mezzo-soprano
As the blurb succinctly puts it, "This new collection showcases DiDonato’s multi-faceted art – and the wealth of opportunities open to a mezzo-soprano – by presenting her as different characters, both … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato’s new CD “Diva, Divo” celebrates the vast and fabulous world of the mezzo-soprano
My first classical concert left me gobsmacked, says Lucy Jones, Assistant Comment Editor at The Telegraph
Stephen Hough - one of my favourite pianists - still isn't a household name, yet reviews for his concerts and discs continue to rake in the best reviews around. If you don't know him yet, rush to … [Read more...] about My first classical concert left me gobsmacked, says Lucy Jones, Assistant Comment Editor at The Telegraph
Sergei Polunin triumphs in Giselle at the Royal Opera House
Judith Mackrell in The Guardian finds much to praise in 21-year-old Sergei Polunin's Albrecht: Physically, Polunin could not be more ideal for the role. With his wide poet's forehead, slender build … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin triumphs in Giselle at the Royal Opera House
Nureyev knows the value of a stage kiss – Romeo and Juliet at the English National Ballet
The Guardian's Sanjoy Roy ioffers the most positive criticism of the English National Ballet's Romeo and Juliet: Rudolf Nureyev's version of Romeo and Juliet – restaged by English National Ballet, … [Read more...] about Nureyev knows the value of a stage kiss – Romeo and Juliet at the English National Ballet
UK campaign keeps Brueghel painting on public display
Arts organizations and public donations have raised enough money to keep one of Pieter Brueghel the Younger's finest paintings on public display in Britain, organizers of the campaign said on … [Read more...] about UK campaign keeps Brueghel painting on public display
Dame Harriet Walter enter stage left
Actress Harriet Walter, who has been made a dame in the New Year Honours, has enjoyed a distinguished career on stage and screen spanning three decades. Dame Harriet, the niece of Sir Christopher … [Read more...] about Dame Harriet Walter enter stage left
When critics are artists: Luke Jennings on Les Patineurs
In one of the most elegant, poetic and precise pieces of criticism I've read this year The Observer's Luke Jennings sums up the essence of Ashton's 'Les Patineurs' in a single paragraph: 'Les … [Read more...] about When critics are artists: Luke Jennings on Les Patineurs
