Page 204 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

24 December 2023

Review
Classical music: Fiona Maddocks’s

10 best concerts and operas of 2023

Two tragic new operas, Mussorgsky with bells on and rousing community
endeavours inspired and moved, while ENO hit highs despite a year of
turmoil

• Read the Observer critics’ review of 2023 in full

Fiona Maddocks
@FionaMaddocks
Sun 24 Dec 2023 13.00 GMT

•
•
•

1. The Cumnock Tryst
Ayrshire; October
Founded by composer James MacMillan in his ex-mining home town, this
plucky annual event grows ever more capacious and inclusive. As well as
star soprano Danielle de Niese, a highlight was a new work created by 350
local people, A Musical Celebration of the Coalfields. If anything deserves
the epithet “making change through music”, it’s the Cumnock Tryst.

2. Manchester Classical
Manchester; June
The inaugural gathering of the city’s musical groups – the Hallé and BBC
Philharmonic orchestras, Manchester Camerata, Manchester Collective,
students, the locally based Indian Choir of England and more – under one
roof at the Bridgewater Hall: 16 performances in two days, creating an
infectious festival weekend.