Entertainment

The week in classical: The Dead City; Black Angels; Re:sound – review

  • 02. Apr 2023. 8:34
  • By The EU Times
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This week, classical music fans have been treated to a feast of performances in London, from the English National Opera's production of The Dead City at the Coliseum, to Manchester Collective's Black Angels at Kings Place.

The Dead City is a new opera by Annilese Miskimmon that tells the story of a city in the aftermath of a great war. Combining traditional opera with contemporary music, it was a thrilling experience for the audience. The singing was of a very high standard, with some beautiful solos from the cast. The orchestra, conducted by Joshua Weilerstein, also gave a powerful performance, particularly during the more emotive passages.

At Kings Place, Manchester Collective presented the George Crumb's Black Angels, a dark, unsettling work that explored the horrors of war. The ensemble gave an intense performance, with a great sense of drama. It was backed up by some excellent solo singing, particularly from soprano Alice Privett, and some gripping playing from the strings.

The theme of warfare was also present at the Re:sound Voices of our Cities festival, which took place at London's Barbican Centre. Streetwise Opera and the BBC Concert Orchestra performed a range of music, from classical to pop, focusing on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. The music was all engaging, with some powerful performances from the orchestra and soloists.

Overall, it was a fantastic week for classical music in London, with all of the performances receiving great reviews from audiences. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from the grandeur of The Dead City to the intense energy of Black Angels. With more concerts coming up in the next few weeks, it looks set to be an exciting time for classical music in the capital.