Article published in Mancheater Evening News 23rd December 2016

LET’S take a look back over the classical highlights of 2016. My problem is what to leave out, but here goes at a top ten …

1. Opera North’s complete, semi-staged Ring Cycle, on its once-only visit to The Lowry, was in a class of its own. The prolonged standing ovation at the very end was testimony to the gratitude of those who witnessed the whole undertaking, and the vision of Opera North’s outgoing musical director, Richard Farnes.

2. In fully-staged performances the company had two outstanding new shows: Annabel Arden’s production of Giordano’s Andrea Chénier, and Orpha Phelan’s of Britten’s Billy Budd – each a story of betrayal, heroism and love. In both the musical teams were among the best Opera North has yet presented: for me, Andrea Chénier just had the edge.

3. The Hallé and Sir Mark Elder are well into a Ring Cycle, too. Their third recording-cum-concert was of Das Rheingold, at the Bridgewater Hall last month. It was magisterial and entertaining with opulent orchestral sound and inspired dramatic life.

4. In May Sir Mark brought a celebration of Dvořák to a thunderous close with a performance of the oratorio St Ludmila. The Hallé Choir (trained by Matthew Hamilton) made a showpiece of it.

5. And Sir Mark’s inspiration of combining scenes from Verdi’s Macbeth with Beethoven’s ninth symphony (in October) paid off in the quality and thrill of performance, with the Hallé Choir marvellous again.

6. The BBC Philharmonic have been doing great things. Vassily Sinaisky’s reading of Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ symphony with the CBSO Chorus in May was characterised by extraordinary beauties and splendour.

7. And there was no doubting the emotional appeal of Shostakovich’s ‘Leningrad’ symphony as the Philharmonic and chief conductor Juanjo Mena gained a standing ovation from many after their performance in February.

8. Of visiting orchestras to the Bridgewater Hall, the Oslo Philharmonic, in March, stood out. Its chief conductor, Vasily Petrenko gave us a thrilling and eloquent account of Mahler’s fifth symphony, with velvety string tone and impressive brass playing.

9. Manchester Camerata’s all-Mozart programme at the Royal Northern College of Music, with music director Gábor Takács-Nagy and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet soloist in two piano concertos, was a pinnacle of their winter season.

10. And Handel’s Tamerlano, from the Buxton Festival and The English Concert (with Paul Nilon, Marie Lys and Owen Willetts), was the pick of the festival’s operas this year.