sun 29/06/2025

stephen walsh

Bio
Stephen is a former Observer music critic and a regular contributor to The Times, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times, Independent and the BBC. He is the author of a major biography of Stravinsky and other books on Stravinsky, Bartók and Schumann. He holds a chair in music at Cardiff University.

Articles By Stephen Walsh

Mazeppa, Grange Park Opera review - a gripping reassessment

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Peter Grimes, Welsh National Opera review - febrile energy and rage

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Uproar, Rafferty, Royal Welsh College, Cardiff review - colourful new inventions inspired by Ligeti

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The Marriage of Figaro, Welsh National Opera review - no concessions and no holds barred

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Il trittico, Welsh National Opera review - welcome back (but not a good sign)

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Rigoletto, Welsh National Opera review - back to what they do best

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Il Trittico, Welsh National Opera review - another triumph for a hard-pressed company

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The Merry Widow, Glyndebourne review - fun and frolics in the Embassy

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Così fan tutte, Welsh National Opera review - relevance reduced to irrelevance

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Uproar, Rafferty, Royal Welsh College, Cardiff review - a rare spring in the new music step

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BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Martin, Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff review - a host of horns in the wild woods

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La Traviata, Welsh National Opera review - memorable revival, unforgettable lead

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Ainadamar, Welsh National Opera review - hits hard without breaking ground

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The Pilgrim's Progress, Three Choirs Festival review - revelatory performance by young musicians

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theartsdesk at The Three Choirs Festival - Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Hammond

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The Bartered Bride, Garsington Opera review - brilliant revival of a comedy of cruelty

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Many years ago, reviewing pantomime for the first time, I recall looking around in the stalls. My brain was saying, “This is...

Alfred Brendel 1931-2025 - a personal tribute

Alfred Brendel’s death earlier this month came as a shock, but it wasn’t unexpected. His health had gradually deteriorated over the last year or...

Chicken Town review - sluggish rural comedy with few laughs...

Fans of the character comedian Graham Fellows will possibly turn up for this British film starring the man who created the punk parody...

Album: Lorde - Virgin

Lorde’s trajectory is continually fascinating. From the minimalist, sparse electropop of Pure Heroine to the similar but more grandiose...