SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

ARTICLES and  NEWS INDEX 2008

“In Praise Of Amateur  Music-Making": The search for authentic musical excitement. (Pse)

KLANG Stockhausen Symposium - Serialism: Purcell Room, London 8.11.2008 (CR)

^{Ripon International Festival, 10th September - 2nd October 2008 : a report from John Leeman (JL)}

Aldeburgh On Tour at King’s Place: London, Monday 3rd to Friday 7th November 2008 (BK)

BBC NOW's New  Home: The orchestra moves to  Hoddinott Hall (BK)

Donatella Flick Conducting Competition 2008: Conductors: Ariane Matiakh, Michael Francis and David Afkham, London Symphony Orchestra. Barbican Hall, London 2.10.2008 (JPr)

Opera North: A Preview of the 2008-2009 Season (RJF)

Festival de Valloires 2008:  Argoules, Picardie, France, 8-13th August 2008 (ME)

Oxford Lieder Festival 2008: A preview from Anne Ozorio, 10^th-24^th October 2008 (AO)

Music films on TV : BBC4 is screening a series of films by Christopher Nupen (AO)

Julian Gayarre Singing Contest Finals : Teatro Gayarre de Pamplona. 19.9.2008. (JMI)

ARD International Music Competition: Prize Winner Concert No.1 (Chamber Concert), Prinzregententheater, Munich, 17.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition: Prize Winner Concert No.2 (Chamber Orchestra Concert), Prinzregententheater, Munich, 18.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition: Prize Winner Concert No.3 (Orchestral Concert), Herkulessaal, Munich, 19.9.2008 (JFL)

Dresden Semperoper: Mrs. Dr. Ulrike Hessler will be the next General Director of the famous Semper Opera Dresden, Thursday, September 18, 2008 (JFL)

57th ARD International Music Competition: Day 2, Violists, 1st Round (2), Studio 1, Bavarian Radio, Munich,2.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Day 3:  Violists, 1st Round (3), Studio 1, Bavarian Radio, Munich, 2.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Day 4:  Violists, 1st Round (4), Studio 1, Bavarian Radio, Munich, 4.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Day 5:  String Quartets, 1st Round (1), Large Auditorium, Music Conservatory, Munich, 5.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Day 6:  String Quartets, 1st Round (2), Large Auditorium, Music Conservatory, Munich, 6.9.2008 (JFL)

 ARD International Music Competition, Day 7:  String Quartets, 1st Round (3), Large Auditorium, Music Conservatory, Munich, 7.9.2008 (JFL)

 ARD International Music Competition, Day 8 : String Quartets, 2nd Round (1) and Viola Semi-Final, Large Auditorium, Music Conservatory & Prinzregententheater, Munich, 8.9.2008 (JFL)

 ARD International Music Competition,  Day 9: String Quartets, 2nd Round (2), Large Auditorium, Music Conservatory, Munich, 9.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Day 10: Viola Finals, Herkulessaal der Residenz, Munich, 10.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Day 11:   String Quartet Semi Finals, Prinzregententheater, Munich, 11.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Day 12:  Clarinet Finals, Herkulessaal der Residenz, Munich, 12.9.2008 (JFL)

ARD International Music Competition Days 13 & 14:  String Quartet & Bassoon Finals, Herkulessaal der Residenz & Prinzregententheater, Munich, 13/14.9.2008 (JFL)

2008 is Diamond Anniversary Year: The Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts - 4 to 18 October 2008 (HH)

2nd Seattle International Wagner Competition: Members of the Seattle Symphony, competing singers, cond. Asher Fisch, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Seattle, 18. 8.2008 (BJ)

San Francisco Opera: Summer’s Lease Hath All Too Short A Date (PD)

Aldeburgh’s new Music Development Plan : a report by Anne Ozorio (AO)

Small is beautiful in Warwick: Roy Brewer reports on this year's Warwick International Festival 24.6.2008 - 6..7.2008 (RB)

Deus in adjutorium : A new work by Robert Hugill at St Michael's Church, London on Thursday 10th July. (BK)

Soli Deo Gloria, The Leipzig Bach Festival 2008:  A  special three part  report by Aart van der Wal (AvW)

Festival de Valloires, Argoules, Picardie, France.  8 – 13 August : Melanie Eskenazi previews the third Valloires festival, and talks to its founder and director, Adam Gatehouse (ME)

Edinburgh International Festival 2008: Mark Berry previews this year's programme (MB)

The Welsh Singers' Competition 2008 : Soprano Natalya Romaniw takes the prize (MS)

'Coming to America' Festival: Gerard Schwarz, cond., soloists, Seattle Symphony, University of Washington Chorale, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, 29.5-7.6.2007 (BJ)

Malvern Songfest 3^rd and  4^th May 2008: a report from Lyndall Dawson (LD)

Chipping Camden Festival 2008 : A round-up of this year's programme (RJ)

Sakari Oramo Awarded The Elgar Medal: A fitting valedictory for the CBSO's departing Music Director (BK)

The English Music Festival 2008: Extraordinary music in glorious settings (BK)

BBC Promenade Concerts 2008 : A preview of this year’s season by Anne Ozorio (AO)

The 61st^th Aldeburgh Festival 13^th to 29^th June, 2008: Previewed by Anne Ozorio (AO)

Birmingham International Concert Season 2008/09: John Quinn takes an early look at next year. (JQ)

Three Choirs Festival 2008: A Preview by John Quinn (JQ)

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008 Grand Final Concert : Soloists, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thierry Fischer (conductor), Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 11. 5.2008 (GPu)

Cheltenham Music Festival 2008: A Preview by John Quinn (JQ)

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008: The Competition's Grand Finals in Cardiff this weekend (BK)

Pure and Poignant: Bettina Mara talks to the Greek soprano Alexia Voulgaridou (BM)

Study Day, Understanding Nono; Understanding the World : Purcell Room London 4.5.2008 (CR)

Kathleen Ferrier Award 2008 Final: Various singers and accompanists. Wigmore Hall, London. 25. 4.08. (ED)

Kathleen Ferrier Award 2008 Semi-final:  Various singers and accompanists. Wigmore Hall, London. 23.4.2008. (ED)

Brighton Festival May 3 – 25 2008: A preview by Bill Kenny (BK)

‘Viva Verdi Part One’:  Jim Pritchard writes about two recent Verdi events in  London (JPr)

Karim’s Journey :  Anne Ozorio previews Christopher Nupen’s new film (AO)

Malvern Songfest 2008 : a new mini-festival of song launches in Worcestershire next weekend (BK)

Finnish National Opera  and Ballet 2008/9: The company's first season under its new artistic management is announced (BK)

Aix en Provence 2008 :  Mark Berry looks forward to this year's festival (MB)

Bayreuth Festival 2008 : – a preview by Jim Pritchard. (JP)

Harrison Birtwistle : The Minotaur: Anne Ozorio looks forward to the The Royal Opera's latest production in conversation with singers Philip Langridge and Andrew Watts. (AO)

A Class Act takes the Handel Singing Competition: Sue Loder reports from the final. 3.4.2008 (SL)

Spring at the London Sinfonietta: Anne Ozorio looks forward to the new programme (AO)

 The Royal Opera's 2008/2009 Season:  Bill Kenny previews a feature packed year (BK)

Shakespeare Resounding:  Opera North’s Spring 2008 Main Stage Season (BK)

Welsh Singers Competition in Cardiff  : four voices compete for the title (MS)

Ivan Ilić Tours Wales in March   with a new work by John Metcalf (MS)

Garsington  Opera's 2008 Season: A preview by Bill Kenny (BK)

Giuseppe Di Stefano :   in Memoriam (GF)

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008:  The Grand Final Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 10, 11, 2008, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (BK)

Inga Nielsen Remembered: An appreciation by Göran Forsling (GF)

The Korngolds - Cliché, Critic and Composer: 28 November  2007 to 18 May  2008, Palais Eskeles, Jewish Museum, Vienna (JFL)

Daniel Barenboim and the Beethoven Piano Sonata cycle: Second concert and ‘Artist as Leader’ discussion, Royal Festival Hall, London 3.3.2008 (JPr)

The Music of Olivier Messiaen,  From the Canyon to the Stars: A report from Anne Ozorio, South Bank Centre, London, 1 February – 10 December 2008 (AO)

Christopher Nupen receives DVD of the Year Award for the third time (BK)

Colorado MahlerFest 2008: Boulder, Colorado 9-13.1.2008 (MF)

Peter Sellars revisits Adriana Mater  in Helsinki: February premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s opera at the Finnish National Opera (BK)

Mozart's Die Zauberflöte at The Royal Opera (BK)

Welsh National Opera: The  2008/2009 Season  (BK)

Opera North's Winter Season: Butterfly, Grimes and a new English opera (BK)

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008:  Category finalists announced 10.1.2008 (BK)

PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR 2007 : Seen and Heard Reviewers present the concert and oper performances that gave them the most pleasure during the past year. Click the blue links to see their original reviews. (BK)

25th Menuhin Competition to be held in Cardiff: Friday 11^th April – Sunday 20^th April 2008 (BK)

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008 to take place in Wales (BK)

The Seattle Symphony Saga by Bernard Jacobson (BJ)

Welsh Singers Competition 2008: Call for competitors (BK)

Mikko Franck: Appointment as Finnish National Opera's  Artistic Director confirmed (BK)

Gudrun Wagner (1944-2007) by Jim Pritchard (JPr)

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008: Semi-Finals and Category Finals  dates announced (BK)

Donizetti rarity launches Liverpool's Capital of Culture Year : Emilia di Liverpool at St. George's Hall from New Year's Eve (BK)

A 'Messiah' from New Zealand: Emigré Seen and Heard reviewer Paul Serotsky reports his first concert from his new home (PSe)

The Christmas Concert Season in Manchester:  A pre-festive round up by Robert Farr( RJF)

Young Singers’ Welfare Foundation: launched by Sir Thomas Allen (BK)

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: The O2 / Millennium Dome, Greenwich, London15th November 2007 – 30 August 2008 (AVE)

Finnish National Opera: Mikko Franck nominated as  Artistic Director and General Music Director of the Finnish National Opera (BK)

Christmas at the Royal Opera House:   A   Preview of Seasonal Opera and Ballet at Covent Garden (BK)

Free Tickets For Inaugural Concert: CBSO appoints a new Music Director (BK)

Donald Runnicles returns to Scotland:  BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra appoints new Chief Conductor (BK)

The Red Violin Festival 2007, Cardiff 1-9 October: A preview from Bill Kenny (BK)
 
Oxford Lieder Festival12^th -27^th October 2007 : A Preview by Anne Ozorio

 

Opera in crisis? Twilight of the Opera Gods: A personal essay by Jim Pritchard (JPr)

Luciano Pavarotti in Memoriam: a tribute by Göran Forsling

New Broom at Glimmerglass Opera Festival: Michael MacLeod sweeps all before him (SL)

Opera North: A Preview of the 2007-2008 Season (RJF)

Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts 2007:  5th-20th  October 2007 (BK)

Jazz and Classical:  Blue Notes at Aspen Festival  2007 (HS)

Bridging the 48th Parallel, Music of Central Europe:  Gerard Schwarz, cond., soloists, ensembles, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, 31.5-9.6.2007 (BJ)

Countdown to the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007: Evan Dickerson looks forward to reporting the entire competition (ED)

Checkmate, Symphonic Variations, ‘Song of the Earth’: a ballet evening with music by Bliss, Franck and Mahler and choreography by de Valois, Ashton and MacMillan. Various artists of the Royal Ballet, orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Barry Wordsworth, Covent Garden, London. 2.6.2007 (JPr)

Three Choirs Festival 2007: John Quinn looks forward to the programme in Gloucester (JQ)

The 60^th Aldeburgh Summer Festival:  8^th to 24^th June, 2007  (AO)

Buxton Festival 6 – 22 July 2007: A 'Royal Flush' preview of this year's programme (BK) 

European Brass Band Championships 2007, Symphony Hall, Birmingham: a report from Christopher Thomas (CT)

A Green Hill far away! Bayreuth Festival 2007: a preview by Jim Pritchard. (JPr)

Edinburgh International Festival 2007: A preview of Jonathan Mills' first season as Brian McMaster's success or (BK)

The English Song Weekend : Ludlow,Shropshire 31 May- 3^rd June 2007 (AO)

BBC Promenade Concerts 2007: A preview from London Editor Melanie Eskenazi.

Exeter Summer Festival 2007: Regional Editor Bill Kenny looks forward to the South West's annual  musicfest.

Cheltenham Music Festival 2007: a preview by John Quinn

Tristan und Isolde,  Mahler's Eighth Symphony  and that polar bear! Berlin at Easter 2007 (JPr)

Greek National Opera Ballet: Solitaire, L’Apres-Midi d’un Faune, Les Sylphides Acropol Theater, Athens, Greece 25.2.2007 (BM)

John Warnaby (1942-2007) : A tribute by Marc Bridle

Mahler's Sixth Symphony: Jim Pritchard discusses performance problems and reviews a recent concert in Salisbury (JPr)