Features & Interviews
Eavesdropping on Rattle, the LSO and Bartók’s Bluebeard
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
One source of advance information told us to expect a reduced version of Bartók’s one-act Bluebeard’s Castle, among the 20th century’s most original and profound operatic masterpieces.
First Person: Artistic Director John Gilhooly on an inclusive and diverse Wigmore Hall
Saturday, 12 September 2020
It is hard to believe that it’s really happening! Despite a few bumps along the way, Christian Gerhaher and Gerold Huber, one of the greatest Lieder duos of our time, will open the 20/21 Wigmore Hall Season tomorrow night in a programme of Schubert and Berg.
Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter: 'I...
Tuesday, 08 September 2020
Music has never been more important than in these dark, dislocating and death-stalked days, fear and grief visiting us in ways once unimaginable. The...
'Masses of performers are still grounded...
Sunday, 06 September 2020
Have you ever tried watching a film, programme or even an advert without the soundtrack? If so, you’ll know that music is a cornerstone of all the...
Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui: '...
Tuesday, 25 August 2020
In 2018, directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui burst onto the documentary scene with McQueen, a visually stunning study of British fashion...
Theatre Unlocked 4: Shows in concert and a contemporary classic comes to TV
A New York duo celebrates Sir Noël; Samuel Beckett bewitches and bewilders once again |
A masked elegy: portraits of string players at the Fidelio Orchestra Café
Young talent captured by Nick Rutter during sessions for Strauss's 'Metamorphosen' |
Theatre Unlocked 3: Signs of activity after a long siesta
Theatre comes to life, albeit gently, and some familiar names crop up online |
'Rehearsing Beethoven with Barenboim felt like an historical moment': Vienna Philharmonic trombonist Kelton Koch on a new normal
As the Salzburg Festival flourishes, a Texan in Austria welcomes a musical rebirth |
First Person: Antonia Bain on directing a short kitchen opera for film
Scottish Opera's digital content producer on making 'The Narcissistic Fish' |
Theatre Unlocked 2: A starry premiere and musical revival alongside Greek tragedy where it began
Empty playhouses caught on camera and an online 'Merchant' complete a typically varied week of theatrical fare |
'She was Paris': RIP Zizi Jeanmaire (1924-2020)
Ballet or cabaret, Zizi's passion was for performance - preferably with her husband |
First Person: Christopher Glynn on how the Ryedale Festival flows on
Artistic director and pianist defines his hopes for an online journey |
Theatre Unlocked 1: George Floyd remembered, a classic transformed, and a call to action re climate change
A Broadway legend in concert lends musical buoyancy to this week's ever wide-ranging theatrical array |
First Person: Royal College of Music Director of Programmes Diana Salazar on a transformation in learning and teaching
The RCM’s corridors are quieter than usual but commitment to musical learning resounds |
theartsdesk Q&A: horn player Sarah Willis
Midnight recording sessions and late-running buses; playing Mozart in Havana |
Theatre Lockdown Special 13: Early Lloyd Webber, vintage Rattigan, and a Dame or two in conversation
Medeas past and present conjoin across a characteristically eclectic theatre week |
Ennio Morricone 1928-2020: A lost afternoon in his apartment in Rome
Recalling a 2003 meeting with the 'Mozart of film music' |
'She spoke through her violin': Steven Isserlis on extraordinary meetings with Ida Haendel (192?-2020)
One great and characterful instrumentalist remembered by another |
Theatre Lockdown Special 12: An American rarity, a British savoury, and fresh Apples
Nigel Slater is back, as is Richard Nelson's Apple family for a second time via Zoom |
‘We are still standing and planning for the brightest future we can’: Svend McEwan-Brown on the survival of a festival
East Neuk Festival Director finds generosity, humanity and a hunger for culture in a crisis |
'Composing supports children to understand music from the inside': educator Nancy Evans on a revolution in primary schools
Birmingham Contemporary Music Group's Director of Learning outlines a bold new project |
Theatre Lockdown Special 11: Shakespeare-as-rave, a starlit Old Vic, and, yes, those singing nuns
Some celeb-heavy revivals and a kids-friendly showstopper feature amongst this week's lineup |
'We must channel the energy and pain that is being expressed right now': Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE on time for action on diversity in classical music
Chineke! founder and double bassist explains an open letter to the Prime Minister |
Ian Holm, British film's best supporting actor
From King Lear to Bilbo Baggins - remembering the great film actor who vanquished stage fright |
Theatre Lockdown Special 10: Epic plays from the National Theatre and Broadway alongside voices raised in protest
The state of Britain then and now gets a look-in, as do animals in human form |
The power of resilience: flautist Noemi Gyori on positive ways to face adversity
How performers, and others, might best deal with the current crisis |
Theatre Lockdown Special 9: Alan Bennett revisited, and so is Oz
Some familiar titles, a 1913 rarity and a show in which the audience plays its part |
'This experience has revealed just how much I love music': pianist Paul Lewis on life in lockdown
On the eve of his return to an empty Wigmore Hall, a very individual artist reflects |
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