My Fair Lady review – an abso-bloomin’-lutely loverly musical
Opera North brings shimmering music to this gorgeous and crisply choreographed co-production, which preserves Shaw’s critique of the British class system
Brief letters
Please, no more pics of Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak … or Taylor Swift
Brief letters: Four weeks of three Ss | Joe Biden | Levelling up opera | Cranky policies for all ages | Faragist felines
My Fair Lady review – comedy and chemistry light up Opera North’s musical-theatre triumph
Katie Bird is an irresistible Eliza Doolittle in this inspired show, which takes its interrogation of social mobility seriously but with a sparkling lightness of touch
February 2024
Cavalleria Rusticana/Aleko review – an electrifying double-bill from Opera North
Setting Mascagni’s one-act opera amid the unease of 70s communist Poland, and moving Rachmaninoff’s to a colourful 90s surfing commune, the company does them both delectable justice
January 2024
Albert Herring review – Opera North’s glorious glimpse of village politics
Britten’s comedy about an unworldly young man’s fall from grace is slickly staged and delightfully played, with every singer making their mark
December 2023
Observer critics' review of 2023
Classical music: Fiona Maddocks’s 10 best concerts and operas of 2023
English National Opera announces Greater Manchester will be its new home
October 2023
The week in classical: La rondine; La traviata review – rapture and raw power
La Rondine review – Opera North’s stylish Puccini is opulent and tender
Masque of Might review – recycled Purcell hybrid is inventive and chaotic fun
The week in classical: Falstaff; Hatfield House chamber music festival – review
September 2023
Falstaff review – Opera North puts a twinkle in Sir John’s eye in gleeful – and green – staging
Henry Waddington relishes every moment as the blustering Sir John in a sustainably staged production of Verdi’s final opera, played and performed with an unfailing sense of humour
June 2023
The week in classical: Requiem; Jerusalem Quartet review – another five-star fusion from Opera North
Sorrowful Mozart meets unstoppable Neo Muyanga in an inspired double bill from Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre. Plus, the sounds of Yiddish cabaret…
May 2023
The week in classical: The Pearl Fishers; Takács Quartet – review
Opera North’s latest concert staging goes big on pearls, with commitment to match. And the peerless Takács give a masterclass in delayed gratification
February 2023
Ariadne auf Naxos review – Strauss’s harlequinade gets a dusting of silver-screen magic
Rodula Gaitanou’s relocation of Strauss’s opera to Rome’s Cinecittà studios brings many gains, plus there’s impeccable playing, lovely singing – Elizabeth Llewellyn’s Ariadne particularly – and even fireworks
December 2022
Observer critics' review of 2022
Classical music: Fiona Maddocks’s 10 best concerts and operas of 2022
Excellence and perilous funding went hand in hand, Salome sizzled, a piano great led the way, and India and Italy became musical neighbours
October 2022
The week in classical: Orpheus; Apartment House review – rich, rewarding, different
The Guardian picture essay
The best of both worlds: Opera North’s Orpheus reimagined
July 2022
David Lloyd-Jones obituary
Founding conductor of Opera North and a champion of Russian operas and British symphonies
June 2022
A knight’s tale: Brindley Sherratt on the stamina and storytelling of Wagner’s Parsifal
The bass is singing Gurnemanz in Wagner’s epic final opera. How do you get to grips with the challenges of such a demanding role – and still not get the best dressing room?
