Richard Bratby

Golden threads

Plus: why is classical music the only branch of showbiz where 'crowd-pleasing' is a pejorative term? LA Philharmonic at the Edinburgh Festival reviewed

issue 10 August 2019

  • Das Rheingold

    Arcola Theatre, until 10 August

  • Los Angeles Philharmonic/Dudamel/Wang

    Usher Hall, Edinburgh

When it comes to the opening of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, Mark Twain probably put it as well as anyone: ‘Out of darkness and distance and mystery soft rich notes rose upon the stillness, and from his grave the dead magician began to weave his spells about his disciples and steep their souls in his enchantments.’

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