Latest Reviews for PROMs concerts and GLYNDEBOURNE CARMEN!
“a brisk and exciting account of the prelude, one which zipped along but had space for the more thoughtful moments. She impressed greatly, drawing out finely crisp playing from the orchestra whilst being a sympathetic accompanist for the singers….one of the most satisfying performances of Carmen that I have seen in a long time, the combination of Anja Bihlmaier’s intelligent and vivid direction with lead roles performed with the right element of style meant that musically this was more satisfying than I had expected”
“vivacious…fast-moving panache… surprising tendresses…ravishing sounds…brilliant handling of the last Entr’acte…again tender collaboration with Bihlmaier and the orchestra in the Flower Song proved spellbinding…real to the shocking last. Anyone left unimpressed would have to possess a heart of stone.”
Prom 50, Carmen, Glyndebourne Festival review – fine-tuning a masterpiece (theartsdesk.com)
Beethoven, Gibson, Brahms / BBC Philharmonic / BBC Proms
„Bihlmaier found a Viennese elegance in the opening, and other more relaxed, dancing moments, but also an intensity where that was needed, aided by a very tight wind section, in their punctuating chords. The second movement had a pleasing sense of intermezzo, a Bihlmaier encouraging a lightness of touch, and in the third movement fun almost threatened to break out, as the shackles came off. But it was back to seriousness for the monumental finale, in which Bihlmaier built up quite a head of steam in the final pages, the orchestra her very willing companions.“
4*, The Arts Desk, August 2024
„This (Beethoven) was a performance of great beauty, with strong orchestral playing from the woodwinds in particular …Bihlmaier shaped the progress of the unfolding variations with a strong architectural sense. We had incisive string playing, an enchanting flute solo and a burnished chorale from the trombones and horn, with energy and commitment from the orchestra throughout (Brahms).“
Bachtrack, August 2024