Latest news with #Handel
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Rodelinda, Garsington: Handel's great opera is bogged down by laboured symbolism
Handel's great 1725 opera Rodelinda is as confusing as any from the Baroque era, but underneath the shifting alliances there is a gripping elemental confrontation of two worlds. Inside the palace there is the captured Queen Rodelinda, who is heartbroken at the (apparent) death of her husband, and is fighting like a tiger to protect herself and her son from the usurper Grimoaldo who wants to marry her. Outside, living on berries and spring water, is her husband King Bertarido, helped by one faithful friend, and waiting impatiently for the right moment to strike back. It's a gift, but the director of Garsington's new production spurns it. Instead Ruth Knight foists on us a very odd three-fold directorial concept. Perched above the stage in Leslie Travers' design are three interconnected metal boxes through which the characters roam. These represent the three-way split of the Lombard kingdom, in turn forming the 'back story' of the opera that one finds it difficult to care about. Knight's decision to fill the boxes with symbolically flourishing greenery, progressively reduced to grey ashes by power and ambition, does little to help. That's one annoying thing about the production. The other is the troupe of 14 dancers clad in black clothing and wielding huge golden orbs and sceptres who hover and gesture menacingly or pleadingly around the characters, as if blown about by their outsize emotions. Gold is a big thing in this production: the usurper Grimoaldo is covered with it, making him look increasingly silly. Again, the not-very-surprising message appears to be: power and money corrupt. Half-hidden under this laboured symbolism were some humanly engaging performances. Lucy Crowe as Rodelinda heroically surmounted Handel's vertiginous leaps and runs, and by sheer force of character managed to wrong-foot the powerful, scheming males around her. It's a shame she wasn't in her best voice. Neither was Tim Mead as her husband Bertarido. It's a tricky role which needs a core of quietly suffering dignity if the exiled King isn't to come across as over-emotional and self-pitying – which is, disappointingly, how he seemed here. Ed Lyon tried to make Grimoaldo's eventual softening of heart seem convincing, but given his absurd outfit of green suit and gold laurel leaf it was hard to endow him with any real character. Many of the best performances were the minor ones. Brandon Cedel was an enjoyable parody of a chin-stroking villain as Grimoalda's two-faced ally Garibaldo. The most striking person vocally was Marvic Monreal as Bertarido's over-sexed, outrageously treacherous and yet somehow sympathetic sister Eduige, while countertenor Hugh Cutting as Bertarido's louche, chain-smoking friend Unolfo was by far the most interesting person dramatically. He came over as a Handelian Puck – entertainingly amoral and mischievous. On stage, this Rodelinda made for a bit of a curate's egg. But down in the orchestral pit, the English Concert and their musical director Peter Whelan brought Handel's fabulous score to life in a performance of surpassing rhythmic energy, richly dramatic colouring and heart-breaking lyrical grace.
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Music school set for hattrick of city summer concerts
Pupils from St Mary's Music School will perform at three Edinburgh events Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pupils from Scotland's leading music school are set to perform in a trio of concerts this summer across Edinburgh. St Mary's Music School will lead three events in the city, showcasing the hard work and talent of dozens of children from the school. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The first event takes place tomorrow (Tuesday) from 7pm at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral on Palmerston Place. Pupils at St Mary's Music School The Annual Directors' Recital Prize Finalists' Concert is one of the highlights of the school's calendar, and is now in its 25th year. Senior pupils will perform for an expert music panel at the west end venue. On June 18, pupils from the school's vocal programme will present Vocal Scenes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The event at Stockbridge Parish Church will feature the work of composers including Mozart, Handel and Sondheim. St Mary's Music School, in the west end of Edinburgh And on June 23, the St Mary's Music School Summer Concert will take place at the Queen's Hall. The event is the culmination of the academic year, with students performing a range of powerful and complex arrangements. The concert will also feature a performance by pianist Ben-David Zasman, the winner of this year's prestigious Lord Clyde Concerto Competition. Dr Kenneth Taylor, headteacher of St Mary's Music School, said: 'This trio of events is the perfect opportunity for people in and around Edinburgh to see the very best talent that is being trained and developed on their doorstep. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'For the young musicians at St Mary's Music School, it also provides an opportunity for them to showcase everything they've worked hard for throughout the session. Pupils from St Mary's Music School will perform this summer 'These concerts should underline the quality and commitment of our pupils and teachers. 'They each promise to provide a wonderful evening of music.' Tickets for each event can be purchased here -
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Three Edinburgh concerts for Scotland's music school
Pupils from St Mary's Music School will perform trio of city concerts Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pupils from Scotland's leading music school are set to perform in a trio of concerts this summer across Edinburgh. St Mary's Music School will lead three events in the city, showcasing the hard work and talent of dozens of children from the school. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The first event takes place tomorrow (Tuesday) from 7pm at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral on Palmerston Place. A pupil from St Mary's Music School performs The Annual Directors' Recital Prize Finalists' Concert is one of the highlights of the school's calendar, and is now in its 25th year. Senior pupils will perform for an expert music panel at the west end venue. On June 18, pupils from the school's vocal programme will present Vocal Scenes. The event at Stockbridge Parish Church will feature the work of composers including Mozart, Handel and Sondheim. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And on June 23, the St Mary's Music School Summer Concert will take place at the Queen's Hall. Pupils from St Mary's Music School will perform three concerts this summer The event is the culmination of the academic year, with students performing a range of powerful and complex arrangements. The concert will also feature a performance by pianist Ben-David Zasman, the winner of this year's prestigious Lord Clyde Concerto Competition. Dr Kenneth Taylor, headteacher of St Mary's Music School, said: 'This trio of events is the perfect opportunity for people in and around Edinburgh to see the very best talent that is being trained and developed on their doorstep. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'For the young musicians at St Mary's Music School, it also provides an opportunity for them to showcase everything they've worked hard for throughout the session. 'These concerts should underline the quality and commitment of our pupils and teachers. 'They each promise to provide a wonderful evening of music.'
South Wales Argus
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Monmouth Concert Orchestra to host 'Animal Magic' concert
The event, titled "Animal Magic," is set for Sunday, June 15, at St Mary's Priory Church, Monmouth, from 4pm to 6pm. The audience can expect a programme featuring music from Bach, Handel, and Saint-Saëns. Tickets are priced at £8, with free entry for under-16s, and are available from orchestra members or at the door. The orchestra will be raising funds for Cwmbran-based charity, All Creatures Great and Small, which rescues and rehabilitates animals. The Monmouth Concert Orchestra is made up of amateur musicians from Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, and the Forest of Dean. They meet fortnightly during term time and are always open to new players, provided they are of Grade V standard or above. There are no auditions.
Local Germany
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Local Germany
Seven unmissable events happening around Germany in June 2025
As the days grow longer, and with summer just around the corner, June in Germany is a great time to get out out of the house, or maybe even out of your city, to join some of the country's cultural events. Here are seven of the month's most exciting events to check out: June 6th – 15th: The Handel Festival, Halle For fans of Handel, and Baroque music generally, Halle's nine-day, annual Handel Festival is a must. Featuring multiple operas – as well as oratorios and concerts – staged at historic sites in the city (including the Handel House, the Cathedral, and the Market Church) the festival attracts many of the best and brightest international stars. The scroll of a double bass can be seen in front of the Handel monument in Halle/Saale during the opening of the Handel Festival. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Hendrik Schmidt One notable highlight is the annual "Bridges to Classics" concert, which has a reputation for trying to bring Handel's music into dialogue with jazz, rock, and electronic music. June 6th – 9th: Carnival of Cultures, Berlin Since it started in 1996, Berlin's Karneval der Kulturen has evolved into one of Europe's largest parades and street festivals – without losing sight of its original purpose to celebrate Berlin's multicultural spirit. As always the street parade on Whitsun (June 8 th ) will feature more than 4,000 performers showcasing the city's cultural richness – but the route has changed this year, temporarily moving from Kreuzberg to Friedrichshain. The four-day street festival is free to attend and should have something to offer everyone – from international food to arts and crafts, and a musical line-up that includes everything from Anatolian jazz to Afrobeat, Japanese fusion rock, mestizo music and Balkan beats. READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Germany in June 2025 June 11th – 23rd: Rampenlichter Youth Dance & Theatre Festival, Munich Rampenlichter takes place every two years in Munich and is Germany's largest international youth cultural dance and theatre festival. The aim of the festival it to encourage children (from the age of six), teenagers and young adults to express themselves artistically and allow them to show us the world as it appears through their eyes. For the first time, the festival has a single, overarching theme in 2025, with shows commissioned and developed around the idea of democracy, participation, diversity and freedom. Advertisement June 14th – 22nd: Berlin Open (WTA Tour) In England, June is inextricably associated with Wimbledon – Pimm's on the lawn, strawberries and cream, and the gentle thwack of tennis balls. For tennis fans and homesick Brits alike, the Berlin Open offers a week of grass court tennis – and a chance to see the world's best female tennis players in action. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is signed up to play this year, along with global stars Coco Gauff and Jasime Paolini. Tickets are a lot easier to get hold of than at Wimbledon and spectators will be treated to live music shows and a selection of family friendly activities between matches. READ ALSO: Ice hockey to basketball - How to find tickets for sports games in Germany Advertisement June 19th – July 20th: Tollwood Summer Festival, Munich Tollwood Summer Festival takes place over a month at Munich's Olympiapark. The festival grounds are free to enter and offer performances, food, handicrafts and a 'Market of Ideas'. Performers on stilits are seen in Munich's Olympic Park at the Summer Tollwood Festival. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Dido Lutz Over 90 percent of the performances, ranging from music and theatre to environmental activities and children's entertainment, are non-ticketed and free. Every evening, a new performer will take to the stage in the festival's purpose-built Musik-Arena . The organisers have worked hard to ensure there's something for everyone, but classic rock lovers are particularly well-catered for this year, with legends including Iggy Pop, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Patti Smith set to rock out in the giant tent. Advertisement LISTED: The major rail disruptions to prepare for in Germany this summer June 21st – 29th: Kiel Week, Kiel You don't have to be a sailor – or even have an interest in sailing – to enjoy Kiel Week . The world's largest sailing festival combines regattas with a citywide cultural program of concerts and street fairs. Now in its 144 th year, Kiel Week is Germany's second largest public festival after Oktoberfest. The best sailors in the world will be there, competing in various different classes of boat – but so will musicians (performing at as many as 300 concerts during the week), theatre companies, dancers, artists, and comedians. The week concludes with an unforgettable parade of nineteenth century Tall Ships. Germany's dominant windsurfer, Sebastian Kördel, is seen in action at the Kiel Week. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sascha Klahn June 27th – 29th: Elbhangfest, Dresden Once a year, on the last weekend in June, Dresden's scenic hillside towns – from Loschwitz to Pillnitz – are transformed into a single festival site covering a seven-kilometre stretch of the Elbe River. Wine is obviously a major feature of the Elbhangfest – as you'd expect in a region famous for its vineyards – but the festival also includes more than 200 individual events, ranging from music, to theatre, dance, readings, and children's entertainment. Residents open their gardens along the route, and artists open their ateliers – making the Elbhangfest a public festival in the very best sense of the word.
