Reviews
Verbier Festival 2026
The 33rd edition of Verbier Festival recently concluded in Switzerland. Simon Broughton was there for the last four days and sends this report.
Reviews
Reviews
John Tavener's 'Krishna' at Grange Park Opera
World Premiere, 4 June 2026; Performance Reviewed: 13 June. Sir John Tavener's 'Krishna' transforms episodes from Hindu mythology into a visually rich and spiritually ambitious opera, combining haunting music, vivid imagery and moments of transcendence.
Reviews
The Piano in the Forest: A Journey of Music, Talent, and Rivalry
The Piano in the Forest is a compelling anime series that blends classical music with a touching story of a disadvantaged child’s rise to greatness. Through a Chopin competition, it explores themes of talent, rivalry, and passion.
Reviews
Martyn Brabbins Leads the SOI with Colour and Conviction
Martyn Brabbins returned to the Symphony Orchestra of India for an evening of striking contrasts, conducting Rimsky-Korsakov’s 'Scheherazade' and Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony with insight, clarity and conviction, marking a promising start to his upcoming tenure.
Reviews
Ivan Siller Illuminates Slovak Modernism in Juraj Benes’s Old Boys Anthology (1983)
Ivan Šiller delivers a masterful interpretation of Juraj Beneš’s 'Old Boys Anthology', highlighting ten Slovak composers through expressive, stylistically diverse movements. His nuanced performance bridges homage and innovation, revealing the suite’s rich emotional and historical depth.
Reviews
Operatic Brilliance: Zubin Mehta Leads SOI in Carmen and La Traviata
Maestro Zubin Mehta conducted the Symphony Orchestra of India in a stirring evening of operatic excerpts from Carmen and La Traviata, showcasing powerful soloists, vibrant choirs, and the orchestra’s nuanced, expressive musicianship.
Reviews
Album Review: Everest – A Journey of Strength and Resilience
With Everest, Czech composer Borrtex delivers a deeply evocative orchestral album that captures the spirit of human endurance and triumph. Inspired by the real-life expedition of Lenka Poláčková and Honza Poláček, who summited Mount Everest in May 2024, the album presents an immersive, cinematic experience that blends modern classical
Reviews
Symphony Orchestra of India Opens Spring 2025 Season with Zubin Mehta and Alexander Gadjiev
The Symphony Orchestra of India, led by Zubin Mehta, launched its Spring 2025 Season with a stunning performance featuring Alexander Gadjiev. The program included works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Dvořák, showcasing exceptional artistry and musicianship.
Reviews
Straussian Mastery: Zubin Mehta's Majestic Return with Richard Strauss
Zubin Mehta’s powerful interpretation of Richard Strauss' masterworks captivated audiences in Mumbai. With Angel Blue’s sublime vocals and the Symphony Orchestra of India’s stellar performance, it was an unforgettable evening of virtuosity and profound emotional depth.
Reviews
Musical Resonance: A Review of SOI’s September 2023 Season
Running a symphony orchestra is a full-time job indeed. It goes without saying that a music director must know every bit of the tools needed to curate a season from scratch. It is impossible to predict how a season will turn out, even with advanced knowledge of the forthcoming
Reviews
Quartet review: did four women really change the world of classical music?
The subtitle of Quartet, historian Leah Broad’s book about four UK women composers, reads boldly: How Four Women Changed the Musical World. But I am unsure that the musical world – for Broad, classical music – was changed in any meaningful way by composers Ethel Smyth (b.1858) Rebecca Clarke (b.
Reviews
Renée Fleming in recital
On the 22nd of April, 2022, at the Royal Festival Hall in London, it was a red letter day for fans ofopera. In one of her now extremely rare appearances in concert and productions alike, Renée Fleming appeared in a gala evening of music by composers as diverse as Dvořák,