Author Archives: leslie

Mourning Sickness Again

Posted on May 3, 2024 by leslie

Mourning Sickness Again Lucia Di Lammermoor, Drama Tragico in three acts, Music by Gaetano Donizetti, Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, Royal Opera 30 April 2024, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti, Director Katie Mitchell, Revival Director Robin … Continue reading →

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The Elusive Earl of Chesterfield

Posted on April 30, 2024 by leslie

The Elusive Earl of Chesterfield  By Richard Wendorf Described by one of his contemporaries as “an eel too slippery to be held,” Lord Chesterfield has enjoyed the dubious distinction of serving as a lightning-rod for criticism twice over, first in … Continue reading →

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Endnotes, May 2024

Posted on April 24, 2024 by leslie

Endnotes, May 2024 In this edition: Bruckner, restored; Welsh composers honoured in Cardiff; reviewed by Stuart Millson Siva Oke, Director of the SOMM record label, turns her attention once again to the world of vintage recordings. Like an art gallery … Continue reading →

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The Last Caravaggio

Posted on April 19, 2024 by leslie

The Last Caravaggio Francesca Whitlum-Cooper, National Gallery Global, London, 2024, the catalogue of the exhibition The Last Caravaggio at the National Gallery, 18th April-21 July 2024, reviewed by Leslie Jones According to Giovanni Pietro Bellori, one of Caravaggio’s three seventeenth … Continue reading →

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“We must Educate our Masters”

Posted on April 16, 2024 by leslie

“We must Educate our Masters” By Duke Maskell Whenever the word “standards” crops up in connection with education, it’s time to lose heart (or to emulate Goering). Only two things are going to be said: that standards ought to be … Continue reading →

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No Shining Path

Posted on April 11, 2024 by leslie

No Shining Path Bill Hartley, on the Peruvian pagaille Some countries get the heads of state they definitely don’t deserve. Worse still, they get them in rapid succession. A good example of this would be Peru, whose recent history is … Continue reading →

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Can of Worms

Posted on March 27, 2024 by leslie

Can of Worms Dr A Kneen on extremism  Who wants to be labelled an ‘extremist’? There can be adverse social, professional, and financial consequences for those so labelled. A person deemed an ‘extremist’ could even be referred to the government’s … Continue reading →

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Endnotes, April 2024

Posted on March 27, 2024 by leslie

Endnotes, April 2024 In this edition: Smetana from Prague – and some new discoveries. Reviewed by Stuart Millson. New from the Pentatone label comes a brilliantly-recorded version of Bedrich Smetana’s six-movement symphonic cycle, Ma Vlast – My Country. A product … Continue reading →

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Death in Venice (2)

Posted on March 19, 2024 by leslie

Death in Venice (2) From Welsh National Opera, Thursday 7th March 2024 at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Reviewed by David Truslove. The adaptation of Thomas Mann’s 1912 novella Death in Venice by Benjamin Britten and Myfanwy Piper is one of … Continue reading →

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Endnotes, March 2024

Posted on February 29, 2024 by leslie

Endnotes, March 2024 In this edition: George Lloyd’s Arctic symphony, plus Nicola LeFanu’s path across the dunes, reviewed by Stuart Millson Recently issued by Lyrita is a definitive collection of symphonic music by one of our country’s many overlooked composers, … Continue reading →

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