Entertainment

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

This week saw a host of classical music events in London, with the English National Opera’s (ENO) production of The Dead City, the Manchester Collective’s performance of Black Angels by George Crumb at Kings Place and Re:sound – Voices of Our Cities from Streetwise Opera and BBC Concert Orchestra.

The Dead City, a new opera by composer Philip Venables and librettist Rory Mullarkey, opened at the ENO’s Coliseum Theatre on Monday. The production, directed by Annilese Miskimmon, was a powerful exploration of the human cost of war, set in a modern-day city. The score, by Venables, was gripping and intense, creating an atmosphere of tension and dread. The performances of the cast were powerful and emotive, with a particularly strong performance from soprano Sarah Tynan as the protagonist.

On Tuesday, Kings Place hosted the Manchester Collective’s performance of Black Angels by George Crumb. The ensemble, led by violinist Stephanie Childress, performed the work with energy and passion, and the music was vividly colourful and evocative, taking the audience on a journey through a myriad of emotions.

Re:sound – Voices of Our Cities, a collaborative project between Streetwise Opera and the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Sian Edwards, was performed at Royal Festival Hall on Wednesday. The performance featured works from a variety of composers, including Handel, Purcell, Britten and Gershwin. The music was beautifully performed and the voices of the Streetwise Opera soloists were a highlight of the evening.

This week saw a wealth of exciting and stimulating classical music events in London. The Dead City, Black Angels and Re:sound – Voices of Our Cities all provided audiences with memorable and moving experiences, and it was a week of high-quality performances and compositions.