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Review of ‘Nutcracker in Havana’: “Fuerza latina galore, but milder in sabor”
Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic relives on the Southbank Centre stage through this Caribbean-flavoured revision put together by Carlos Acosta. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if its toying with the iconic original turns out to be a sugar plum assignment. I know what you’re thinking – just as I know…
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Review of ‘Pirates of Penzance’: “A first-rate opportunity”
Sasha Regan’s signature all-male production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s masterpiece returns to the London scene, featuring a new cast performing at the Wilton’s Music Hall until the end of the month. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this ‘sir-gent’ approach on the classic work is something he’d jolly…
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Classical tenor Rafael Montero talks upcoming show ‘The Mouth of the Gods’: “I don’t aspire to be compared with British or European singers”
The London scene turns its eyes to Latin American history, through this new piece celebrating the best of both cultures through the merge of European classical music and Indigenous folklore. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of its lead performers, to learn all the fun facts about this montage where past and present blend together in…
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Review of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s ‘Luna’: “Seeking its star quality”
The Sadler’s Wells hosts the London premiere of this new anthology piece mixing historical and mythical elements through the eyes of five different choreographers. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the production, to let us know if this astronomical effort ends up delivering a celestial touch. There’s something inherently mystical about the moon, though nobody…
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Review of Släpstick’s ‘Scherzö’: “Hitting the right note”
The Dutch troupe settles in the London scene with their latest show, currently going on an international tour. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the piece, to let us know if this camp rendition of classical music is in need of some fine tuning. When it comes to music, we all love a good bang…
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Review of BBC Prom 66 – Chineke! plays Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathétique’: “Notes of wonder”
The 2024 season hosts the orchestra’s return to the festival, performing a repertoire celebrating the genius of the Russian composer, while also paying homage to American culture through a rendition of original works and arrangements. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this mixture of modernity and tradition manages…
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Review of BBC Proms ‘Carmen’: “Destin d’amour”
The Glydebourne Festival production travels to the Royal Albert Hall for one night only, bringing the fervorous allure of Bizet’s score through a new, up-to-date vision. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this modernized take on the late Romantic masterpiece still manages to live up to its myth.…
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Review of BBC Proms’ Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’: “An evening star”
The 2024 season reaches its midpoint through an all-Finnish-sounding performance under Sakari Oramo’s baton. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the concert, to let us know if its space-themed repertoire managed to put audiences over the moon. When I was a young composition student, my teacher once suggested listening to what, as he called it,…
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Review of ‘Mr. Punch at the Opera’: “You’ll get a kick, but still makes no good fist”
The 2024 edition of the Grimeborn Festival brings the classical genre closer to the youngest viewers, through this panto-style remake of Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this camp initiation to classical music made him change his tune. It’s not that often that you…
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Review of BBC Proms – No 17 : “Porcelain forcefulness”
The 2024 Prom season continues with a performance by the Royal Phillarmonic Orchestra under the conducting of Vasily Petrenko, featuring a guest appearance by Russian pianist Denis Kozkukhin. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if last night’s rendition of Ives, Ravel, Debussy and Tchaikovsky’s works managed to hit the…
