Young singers poised for big careers joined forces in Ariodante, the opening event in the London Handel festival, given in collaboration with the Royal College of Music International Opera School and conducted by that master Handelian, Laurence Cummings. A seven-strong ensemble (alternating with another cast over four performances) brought this dark-light work to life with some fine singing, notably from the Scottish mezzo-soprano Katie Coventry in the demanding title role. There were many fine moments from each singer, including Sofia Larsson’s Ginevra and Galina Averina’s Dalinda.
The singer I’ll be looking out for is bass-baritone Simon Shibambu, who sang the King with authority, anguish and a huge, resonant tone. He will join the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker young artists programme in September. In a long work, it would have helped had the characters not been wearing nearly identical woolly clothes and the action had not all taken place in stygian gloom, but you can’t have everything.
Or maybe you can. It was announced on Friday that Thomas Adès, composer, conductor and pianist extraordinaire, has been appointed artistic partner, working with Andris Nelsons, at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. If only the UK could have snapped him up. He conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in a fascinating concert of, mainly, his own music: the magnetic, in all senses, Polaris (2010), the touching and revelatory Brahms (2001), deftly sung by Samuel Dale Johnson, and the epic Tevot (2006-7). All works of richness, heart and fantastic aural bounty. Lucky Boston.
Star ratings (out of 5)
Ariodante ***
• Ariodante is at the Britten theatre, London until 14 March. LSO: Thomas Adès is at the Barbican, London, 16 Mar
