Great opera, apparently

Charpentier's opera Medea - given in a new production by David McVicar at English National Opera - has prompted the usual range of reactions from reviewers: largely appreciative of the opportunity to see this baroque opera; more mixed on the virtues of the production. One reaction found in ENO’s review-quote-stuffed post-first-night promotional email, however, caught my eye. A comment, taken from Facebook and appearing alongside reviews from The Times, The Gaurdian and The Arts Desk, says:

'Can't wait to see it next week. 5* reviews for 'Medea' are fantastic.'
 

While I do look forward to further second-hand recommendations, I do worry that they might not be heard above the sound of the scraping of the bottom of the social-media barrel.       

Janine Jansen directs Mozart and Bartok

Janine Jansen

"Marking the conclusion of a tour of 8 European cities, Janine Jansen’s concert with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields dug up some reasonably rare gems while unconventionally coupling Mozart and Bartók. Mozart-the-child-prodigy and Mozart-the-teenage-instrumentalist were here, though it was left to Bartók to provide the perspective of a slightly softened older composer."

Read my full review at Classical Source.