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FRONT OF HOUSE

EDITORIAL We can’t deny, it’s been a year of stark contrasts YOUNG ARTIST OF THE MONTH Meeting rising star, winner of the 2023 Copenhagen Duo-Lied Competition, baritone Johannes Moore €- NEWS & NOTES The winners of the Operalia Competition are announced; Martyn Brabbins leaves the English National Opera in protest of recent orchestral cuts and the Royal Opera House marks the festive season with a return of its ‘Songs for Ukraine’ Christmas concert

REVIEWS -…ˆ LIVE REVIEWS UK London Opera Fringe (4 0 ) Royal Opera House George Benjamin Picture a Day Like This (44) EUROPE Copenhagen Opera Festival Round up (46) Opera Rouen Carmen (48) - BOOKS Reviews of the latest musical and operatic reads - RECORDINGS New releases on CD, Digital & AV including: a new recording from Jakub Józef Orliński, Hindemith’s Cardillac on BR Klassik and Opera Rara’s recording of Offenbach’s La princesse Trébizonde, as well as Persinette and Humperdinck’s Königskinder captured on film; Opera Now Choice: Lea Desandre and Thomas Dunford’s Idylle on Erato receives five stars

€- SPOTLIGHT Worldwide Opera Guide and answers to this issue’s Quiz (p63)

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…- BEHIND THE SCENES Meeting coach and répétiteur Steven Maughan

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Cover feature Nicky Spence emerged into the commercial music scene as a young singer, barely out of conservatoire. Now, his focus combines family, opera and advocating for musicians rights. We catch up during his recent Rhinegold at La Monnaie, learning about his latest recording release with Mary Bevan and his hopes for the future as president of the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) Critics Choice Our writers choose their top operas of the year

€ Directing a new Ring cycle in Australia Chinese director Chen ShiZheng leads Opera Australia in this remarkable Wagner project, bringing sci-fi and Chinese mythology to the worlds of the Ring The First Folio at … Marking a significant literary anniversary by looking at the operas of Shakespeare – which texts have flourished and which are still neglected? ‘ Christmas from Norway Reviewing a new festive release from soprano Lise Davidsen on Decca Classics

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Books of the year A round up of the best musical books from 2023 – get some ideas for your Christmas gift list!

Quiz How well do you know Tannhäuser? Test your opera knowledge in our monthly quiz

www.operanow.co.uk

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