David Smythe
Contributor at Bachtrack
Farming, tourism, agritourism & rural economy. Arts enthusiast. Bachtrack reviewer. Stays for film credits and organ voluntaries.
Articles
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2 weeks ago |
bachtrack.com | David Smythe
Perth’s historic St John’s Kirk’s warm spacious acoustic, which keeps sound focused yet lets high voices soar to the rafters, is a wonderfully atmospheric building to hear sacred music. This is where John Knox lit the touch paper sparking the Scottish reformation in May 1559, which made a programme headlined by music from the Sistine Chapel into something deliciously subversive.
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3 weeks ago |
bachtrack.com | David Smythe
Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury is a brief work demanding a companion piece. Scottish Opera’s response was to commission a new opera from Toby Hession, A Matter of Misconduct! fitting the bill perfectly, its world premiere a sparkling modern riposte to the dusty Victorian courtroom satire. Lifting the lid in the Downing Street Press Room as a political storm rages, a cast of characters we all know too well provides delicious enjoyment.
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1 month ago |
bachtrack.com | David Smythe
Director John Savournin’s rule for updating opera is that it “must add something worth adding”. Happily, relocating The Merry Widow from the Parisian glamour at the turn of the last century, Savournin finds accurate parallels with 1950s New York mafia featuring the Boss, the Family and the Mob.
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2 months ago |
bachtrack.com | David Smythe
Greta Thunberg must have been on the mind of Jonathan Dove when terminally ill opera philanthropist Jim Potter approached him in 2020 with the idea of commissioning a community opera about sustainability involving youngsters. The resulting Uprising sees 15-year old Lola Green throwing her family into turmoil as an ancient forest is threatened. Dove uses a vibrant community of singers in an energetic and moving protest drama as floods arrive, the earth warming alarmingly.
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2 months ago |
bachtrack.com | David Smythe
Pekka Kuusisto’s visits to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra are keenly anticipated, his highly charged musical spark making the bold “New Dimensions” programming vivid and compelling. Works from three living composers were bookended by a rare and early Britten piece and, in a musical arc reaching back through the centuries, a lively Haydn symphony.
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Really enjoyed this performance. Strong singers in an immersive performance in the Cathedral. Promising partnership with the excellent @AmicusOrchestra
For a long time Suor Angelica was seen as the tricky part of Il Trittico. This @OperaBohemia production for @PerthFestival – and Puccini’s glorious score – effortlessly sweeps those difficulties aside. https://t.co/KT0zm4hIUs
Movingly vivid Suor Angelica in a tremendous new partnership as @AmicusOrchestra joins @OperaBohemia at @PerthFestival A real immersive experience. Last Perth performance tonight - don't miss this one. https://t.co/RnTobUA0nz
Sacred music, ancient and modern, the @ORAsingers bookended their first visit to @PerthFestival with two versions of Miserere. Sounded wonderful in the historic St John's Kirk. Reviewed @bachtrack https://t.co/1EGKwBXXvk