Tim Ashley
Tim Ashley is a Guardian classical and opera critic, though he's also keen on literature and philosophy so you might sometimes find him cross-referencing all three. His work has also appeared in Literary Review and Opera magazine and he is author of a biography of Richard Strauss
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Das Rheingold review – superb Jurowski hits awesome anvilsVladimir Jurowski and the LPO were superb in this anniversary semi-staging that marks the start of a new Ring Cycle
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LSO/Pappano review – refinement, energy and dramaAn all-Liszt programme showed the best of the LSO, magnificent under Pappano, while soloist Alice Sara Ott played with thrilling accuracy and involvement -
Semiramide review – Rossini sounds sublime in Alden's eccentric stagingOutstanding performances by Joyce DiDonato, Lawrence Brownlee and Daniela Barcellona illuminate David Alden’s occasionally cluttered vision of this Rossini rarity -
Marnie review – Nico Muhly's psycho thriller sounds beautiful but fails to thrillThe central relationship is compelling and there is some tremendous writing for the ENO chorus, but Muhly’s stylised opera lacks Hitchcockian suspense -
Britten Sinfonia/Elder review – grace and poise as Brahms gets back to basicsMark Elder’s first Brahms symphony cycle concert swapped weightiness for electric clarity and was prefaced with works by Mahler, Britten and Finzi
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WEDO/Barenboim review – glorious Quixote makes for sublime tribute to lost loveDaniel Barenboim paid tribute to his first wife, Jacqueline du Pré, with an unmatched live performance of Strauss’s Don Quixote, featuring a sublime Kian Soltani on cello
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Aida review – power and passion marred by a few duff notesPhelim McDermott’s new production for ENO features some virtuoso turns and preserves the tragedy’s air of mystery, but at times lacks cohesion -
Carmen review – Bizet meets Busby Berkeley