Email: ReviewsgateReviews@gmail.com
Reviews
National Youth Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 06 January 2026, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff.
“Music-making to gladden the heart and provide hope for the future.”
Photo credit: Tom Morley.
The Forsyte SagaParts I and II, John Galsworthy, adapted by Shaun McKenna & Lin Coghlan, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon | Until Saturday 10 January 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Roderick Dungate
“Clever and thoughtful adaptation, strong company”.
Photo credit: Cam Harle
Sarah Beth Briggs (piano) Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 14 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“A seasonal programme devised, presented and played with musical intelligence”.
Photo credit: Royal Centre
Kazuki Conducts Strauss, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 10 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A feast of gorgeous Richard Strauss”.
Southwell Music Festival – Christmas Celebration, Southwell Minster | 08 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“The Southwell Festival presents a Christmas Celebration of exceptional artistic integrity”.
Photo credit: Tom Platinum Morley
Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Nutcracker, Birmingham Hippodrome | 05-13 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A dazzling Christmas spectacular”.
Photo credit: Birmingham Royal Ballet
Concerto Budapest Symphony, OrchestraSymphony Hall, Birmingham | 03 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“Some extremely fine playing from this excellent Hungarian ensemble”.
Photo credit: Mudra Laszlo
Tenebrae: In Winter’s House Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 01 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Jewel-like miniatures sung with exquisite clarity and emotional depth”.
Photo credit: Sim Canetty-Clarke
Quatuor Agate. Lakeside, Nottingham, 27 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Quatuor Agate reach deep inside the music with playing of probing intensity.”
Photo Credit: Lakeside.
An Evening with Rushil Ranjan, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 27 November, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Dan Auluk.
“Certainly a reminder that music’s power is in the connection and humanity it offers.”
Aurora Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 25 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Aurora’s playing from memory adds a new dimension to the music.”
Photo Credit: Kaupo Kikkas.
Centre Stage: Baroque Ensemble: 1725 Music in Naples, CBSO, CBSO Centre, Birmingham 24 November 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A fascinating concert focusing on a musically significant time and place.”
Susanna (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 21 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Opera North triumphantly liberates Handel’s Susanna from the cultural museum.”
Photo Credit: Richard H Smith.
La Bohème (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 19 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“A revival of an evergreen hit, still pulsing with life.”
Photo Credit: Richard H Smith.
Shostakovich’s Last Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Wednesday 19th November 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Characterful and charismatic singing and a fine performance of a perplexing symphony.”
Ariel Lanyi (piano). Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 16 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“A recital of intimacy, wit, brilliance and mystery from Ariel Lanyi.”
Photo Credit: Royal Concert Hall.
Eugene Tzikindelean plays Mozart, Town Hall, Birmingham, 16 November 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Nothing but exquisitely joyful Mozart”
Andrey Gugnin (piano). Lakeside, Nottingham, 13 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Andrey Gugnin: not just a virtuoso, but also a poet and dramatist of the keyboard.”
Photo Credit: Lakeside.
Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tuesday 11 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A warm welcome back to Birmingham for a great conductor with a brilliant orchestra.”
Photo Credit: Astrid Ackermann.