FROM ROME: From December 2009 until March 2023, the late Giuseppe Pennisi sent us regular reports from the Italian opera and classical music scene.
PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS:
The late Patric Standford may have written these short pieces deliberately to provoke our feedback. If so, his success is reflected in the rich range of readers' comments appearing at the foot of most of the pages.
American theatre director Peter Sellars was born in Pittsburgh on 27 September 1957.
Ensemble. A Different 'Gospel' - Giuseppe Pennisi explores the mesmerising aural world of John Adams
Ensemble. A Thunderous Send Off - John Adams and Peter Sellars' 'The Gospel According to the Other Mary' begins a European tour, and impresses Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Santa Fe, The City Different - Maria Nockin enjoys the summer opera fare in North America's oldest capital city
Sex and Absolute Power - Handel's 'Giulio Cesare in Egitto', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Emphasis on Personalities - John Adams' 'Nixon in China', reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Electronics Prevails - 'Orphée' at the Roma-Europa Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
A Useful Survey - Thomas May's 'The John Adams Reader', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Thought-provoking - John Adams' 'Dr Atomic' in London, reviewed by Robert Hugill
CD Spotlight. Truly Invigorating - Opera fantasies for violin, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... engaging musical finesse.'
Ensemble. An Auspicious Beginning - The first performance of a brand new opera company, marked by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Light and Sprightly - Handel's 'Theodora', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. A thrilling launch - 'Doctor Atomic' by John Adams, reviewed by Carson Cooman