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Jenna's list: the year's Top 10 of London

Jenna's list: the year's Top 10 of London

Well, it's been just over a year since I started running wildly around London, trying not to miss any of the city's endless operatic offerings. On top of the many, many shows, I'll miss the charming little ice creams at intermission (sorry, interval), and the weird named for different seating sections (what the hell are the stalls), and of course, the sheer quantity of things to see and hear all year long.

Jenna Simeonov
In review times two: Ensemble Prisma Wien & Bernarda Fink

In review times two: Ensemble Prisma Wien & Bernarda Fink

Ensemble Prisma Wien's debut concert at Wigmore Hall was a successful combination of excellent artists, and the kind of music that seems to flow organically from the group's dynamic. The Ensemble gave us music by Haydn, Schubert and Dvořák, all effortless melodists whose tunes feel as though they've always existed.

Jenna Simeonov Collin Shay
Graceful exits & double standards

Graceful exits & double standards

Why, when Domingo is clearly still involved in the operatic industry in a huge way, must his schedule still include staged performances in roles meant for true baritones? When his work at WNO, LAO, and Operalia includes time spent with such skilled artists at the starts of their careers, has Domingo considered the possibility that he is taking opportunities from these rising stars - particularly the hardworking baritones?

Jenna Simeonov
Opera fans have nothing on the "My Way Killings"

Opera fans have nothing on the "My Way Killings"

Karaoke is pretty huge in the Philippines, and apparently the standards of performance are held to dangerously high levels. In fact between roughly 2002 and 2012, there were about six instances of karaoke-induced violence, which later became known as the "My Way Killings". Yup, as in the song "My Way", famously popularised by Frank Sinatra in the late 1960s.

Jenna Simeonov
In review: Pop Up Opera's I Capuleti e i Montecchi

In review: Pop Up Opera's I Capuleti e i Montecchi

Pop Up Opera's touring production of I Capuleti e i Montecchi has traveled across the southern UK for nearly a month, and it's impressive that the production, directed by James Hurley, feels at home in its latest London venue. The action takes place in the round, and the cast of five make a handful of forays into the crowd; it's one of the advantages - responsibilities, even - of performing with an audience at arm's length.

Jenna Simeonov
In review: Ivan Magrì at Wigmore Hall

In review: Ivan Magrì at Wigmore Hall

You could argue that the recital, packed with songs and arias by Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, and Tosti (with some Massenet for variety), was a one-flavour kind of deal. Yet like the familiar flavours of steak frites, chocolate truffles, and great red wine, what sort of party-pooper could complain?

Jenna Simeonov
Talking with singers: Riccardo Massi

Talking with singers: Riccardo Massi

"Indeed, having good strength helps when it comes to supporting the sounds with the diaphragm, however it's much better to be elastic and well stretched. I remember I had to do really hard work to relax my body when I was a student taking my first lessons, because my body was too hard and tense for the hard training I had to go through, since I was a fighter."

Jenna Simeonov
Opera shorthand, part II: Proben & Fächer

Opera shorthand, part II: Proben & Fächer

Last year, we brought you some tips on opera-insider jargon, and how to speak the industry shorthand. Part I focused on the names of operas and their nicknames, and in part II, we're talking rehearsals and types of voices. So, if you're hoping to infiltrate opening-night opera parties, or just keep up with the opera talk with your singer friends, we can help you with the shortened lingo.

Jenna Simeonov
In review: Exaudi at Wigmore Hall

In review: Exaudi at Wigmore Hall

The 8 voices of EXAUDI sang in varying combinations; their uniform sound stayed interesting, with solo singers trading moments of spotlight. Just as we grew comfortable in their 16th-century sound, well grounded and ringing with overtones, Weeks revealed his stealthy integration of Arcadelt's Primo Libro de' Madrigali and the EXAUDI director's own Libro di fiammelle e ombre. The two composers shared texts - largely by anonymous authors - which live on the blurry line between love, lust, desperation, and death.

Jenna Simeonov
Narcoleptic supernumerary in demand as dead body of Buoso Donati

Narcoleptic supernumerary in demand as dead body of Buoso Donati

A narcoleptic supernumerary has earned great praise for his portrayal of the dead body of Buoso Donati in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi", now in-demand as Buoso-du-jour.

Jenna Simeonov

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