On 22 December, Antwerp Cathedral Choir will perform The Fruit of Silence by composer Pēteris Vasks in the splendid setting of Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady. The work, which exists in multiple versions for different instrumentations, will be performed in its version for choir and string orchestra. Continue reading “Work in Focus – Pēteris Vasks: The Fruit of Silence”
On 13 December, the Hong Kong Philharmonic and conductor Jaap van Zweden will give the first performance in nearly 100 years of Willem Mendelberg’s reconstruction of the Adagio and Purgatorio from Gustav Mahler’s Symphony Nr. 10. Mengelberg, once chief conductor of the Concergebouw Orchestra, devoted himself to the promotion of Mahler’s music following the composer’s death. In 1924 he gave the first performance of his version of Mahler’s unfinished tenth symphony in Amsterdam. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Mahler/Mengelberg: Symphonie Nr. 10”
On 8 December Anno Schreier’s Der Zauberer von Oz will receive its world premiere at the Theater Aachen. Christopher Ward will conduct the cast and orchestra in director Ute M. Engelhardt’s new production. Schreier’s family-orientated ‘magicopera’, liberally sets the famous story initially told in Lyman Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and popularised by the 1939 film adaptation. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Anno Schreier: Der Zauberer von Oz”
On 1 December, Christian Jost’s The Woman in the Gardens of Suzhou will receive its German premiere at the Congresshalle Saarbrücken with the Saarländische Staatsorchester conducted by Jonathon Heyward. The concert forms part of the orchestra’s “Artist in Focus” series which will feature Jost both as composer and conductor throughout the 2019/20 season. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Christian Jost: The Woman in the Gardens of Suzhou”
On 20 November Andrew Norman’s orchestral work, Sustain, will receive its European Premiere at the Barbican, London. The work will be performed by its commissioners, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Andrew Norman: Sustain”
The world premiere of Chaya Czernowin’s opera, Heart Chamber, for Deutsche Oper Berlin takes place on 15 November conducted by Johannes Kalitzke. The production, which has been directed by Claus Guth, is realised by a small cast of soloists consisting of Patrizia Ciofi, Noa Frenkel, Dietrich Henschel, and Terry Wey. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Chaya Czernowin: Heart Chamber”
Richard Strauss’ opera Die ägyptische Helena received its world premiere in 1923 in Dresden. This year on 9 December, a new production of the opera will open at La Scala in Milan, conducted by Franz Welser-Möst and directed by Sven-Eric Bechtolf. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Richard Strauss: Die ägyptische Helena”
On 1 November, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and their chief conductor Riccardo Muti present the world premiere of Bernard Rands’ Dream in Chicago. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Bernard Rands: Dream”
On 26 October Wilhelm Killmayer’s Yolimba opens at the Theatre Münster in a new production directed by Ulrich Peters and conducted by Thorsten Schmid-Kapfenburg. Marielle Murphy and Gregor Dalal perform the principal roles of Yolimba and Moehringer. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Wilhelm Killmayer: Yolimba oder Die Grenzen der Magie”
On Wednesday and Thursday 16-17 October, Miller Theatre presents the world premiere performances of Hannah Lash’s chamber opera, Desire. The production is conducted by Daniela Candillari, directed by Rachel Dickstein, and features the JACK Quartet. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Hannah Lash: Desire”
