Royal Opera House, London Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe deliver hits and new songs with their trademark bittersweet ambivalence, theatrical staging and imperviousness to fashion
June 2024
Così fan Tutte review – self-conscious staginess is surreal fun in beautifully sung revival
Ashton Celebrated review – Royal Ballet turns traditional into timeless
The week in classical: Andrea Chénier; The Barber of Seville review – brio and ballistic B-flats
Anguished arias and Anna Nicole Smith: Antonio Pappano’s heart-stopping Royal Opera highs
May 2024
Andrea Chénier review – Pappano ends on a high with this sensational, thrilling revival
The week in classical: Carmen; Celebrating 22 Years of Antonio Pappano – review
The week in classical: Riot Symphony; L’Olimpiade; LSO/Tilson Thomas review – humanity and hope
Antonio Pappano Gala review – farewell concert celebrates the best thing that has happened to the Royal Opera
L’Olimpiade review – clever and effective Vivaldi staging with music of heartstopping beauty
Margaret Curphey obituary
April 2024
Royal Ballet and Opera announces ambitious new season – and name change
Larmes de Couteau/Full Moon in March review – two supremely weird operas
The week in classical: Lucia di Lammermoor; Nash Ensemble; Anthony McGill and Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective – review
Lucia di Lammermoor review – a vocally breathtaking, disturbing to witness descent into madness
The week in classical: Carmen; National Youth Chamber Choir/ OAE/Jeannin; LSO/ Roth review – from Habanera to doo-wop
Carmen review – Aigul Akhmetshina is electrifying in simmering, naturalistic staging
