Willy Vlautin at Howard Assembly Room on 4th February 2018
A various evening of music, conversation, anecdote and a literary reading proves moving and memorable. Long-time readers will know that I have never reviewed a folk singer for Leeds Living before, and that I normally review the classical events around Leeds. Why then did the folk artist and novelist Willy Vlautin lure this lover of […]
Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masquerade Ball) from Opera North at Leeds Grand Theatre
A fascinating, less frequently staged opera by Verdi receives a beautiful treatment from Opera North. This was Opera North’s first production of Un Ballo, and I hope that it will not be the last. This less often heard opera, while not obviously such a great work as La Traviata, etc., is a delight. As always, […]
Christiane Karg and Joseph Middleton play Debussy, Satie and Wagner at Howard Assembly Room 26 January 2018
Charles Eager enjoys a brief but dazzling recital of songs, known and less well known, making for a pleasantly eclectic evening. There were not many disappointments to be had at this very fine concert, but the first must have been when I learned that Christiane Karg has no connection whatsoever to Dr. Karg’s delicious crispbread. […]
Opera North’s Madama Butterfly at Leeds Grand Theatre – A Review
Charles Eager finds this sensitive and beautiful production of an operatic classic to be a true treat. This production directed by Tim Alberry is in its second revival (previous productions 2007/08 and 2011/12). This somewhat accounts for its accomplished execution ten years on from its first performances, and, vice versa, such sustained success is no […]
The Choir of Clare College at Howard Assembly Room
An eclectic evening of fine pieces and jolly performances – a truly festive musical offering. The lights are off. The choir enters and surprises the audience by spreading out around the room. This gives to their performance of their first piece, Thomas Tallis’ Videte miraculum, something like a surround sound effect, placing the audience at […]
