Intermezzo

Jonas Kaufmann goes to Brum

CBSO / Andris Nelsons / Jonas Kaufmann - Symphony Hall Birmingham, 7 March 2012

What’s in the middle of Birmingham but surrounded by sea?

Jonas Kaufmann!

The CBSO’s very, very special guest was placed at the centre of Wednesday evening’s programme, and rightfully so. Before him came Britten’s Sea Interludes; after, Debussy’s La Mer.

But let’s not pretend this was a mere guest soloist spot. With ten songs on the programme (eleven if you count the encore) we received a more bountiful helping of Herr Kaufmann than many an orchestrally-grouted recital programme provides.

Tristan und Isolde und the CBSO

Tristan und Isolde - CBSO / Nelsons - Symphony Hall Birmingham, 3 March 2012

Forget staged, semi-staged or even notionally visual. The singers were lined up behind their music stands. The conductor was confined to a chair. This was a static Tristan und Isolde, even by concert version standards. But four enthralling hours proved that sometimes the music really is all that matters.

Madama Butterfly flaps again

Madama Butterfly Royal Opera House, 25 June 2011

Some of the critiques of Christopher Alden's A Midsummer Night's Dream might kid you momentarily into thinking there's something new about a manipulative paedo on the opera stage.

And then you remember Madama Butterfly.

Andris, Jonas and Tristan

I won't bother with an full overview of the CBSO's 2011-12 season as the Birmingham Post has done an excellent job already. As always there's plenty there to justify a trip, and it's worth pointing out a few concerts are likely to sell out soon after booking opens on 6 June.

First up is a concert version of Tristan und Isolde on Saturday 3 March 2012 at 4.00pm. Andris Nelsons conducts, with Torsten Kerl as Tristan, Lioba Braun as Isolde, Christianne Stotijn as Brangäne, Brett Polegato as Kurwenal and Matthew Best as King Marke.

Lucky Birmingham also get a visit from Jonas Kaufmann. After last year's Bayreuth Lohengrin, he again teams up with Andris Nelsons on Wednesday 7 March 2012, this time to sing Strauss and Mahler.

On Wednesday 30 May 2012 there's a special concert in Coventry Cathedral which marks the 50th anniversary of Britten's War Requiem. Busy Andris Nelsons conducts Kristine Opolais, Mark Padmore and Thomas Quasthoff.  

Andris Nelsons debuts with LSO

LSO / Andris Nelsons / Viktoria Mullova - Barbican, 30 September 2010

Is there anything Andris Nelsons can't do? The programme wasn't entirely inspiring, there were fallibilities in communication, but even so, his LSO debut wasn't far short of fabulous.

Mahler 8 in Birmingham

CBSO / Nelsons - Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 16 September 2010

Was it worth travelling all the way to Birmingham and back for just 90 minutes of music? You bet.

The CBSO kicked off their season and their Mahler cycle with the 8th Symphony. A cast of 600 filled the stage and the choir stalls and stretched around the side galleries.