This autumn Laurence Cummings conducts performances of Handel’s Saul for Glyndebourne on Tour. His appointment has been described as “a coup” by Fiona Maddocks in The Observer, who says Cummings “now ranks as one of the composer’s best advocates in the world”.
In a 5-star review of Barrie Kosky’s production she writes that Cummings “matches Handel’s energy and invention with unmistakable lyricism, generosity and dignity. It’s not that others don’t or can’t; rather that Cummings makes it feel the only conceivable approach, drawing the music out, not driving it along.”
The production also receives five stars in The Times, where Anna Picard says:
“The conductor Laurence Cummings has galvanised Glyndebourne’s touring orchestra into a performance as playful and soulful and stylish as that on stage: acerbic in the opening allegro of the Overture, giddy with invention in the miniature concertos for chamber organ, the musical arguments dynamically phrased and punctuated throughout.”
As well as stellar reviews for Laurence, countertenor Christopher Ainslie has also received much critical acclaim for his “silver-voiced, serene and inscrutable” David (The Observer). Anna Picard praises Christopher for his “suppleness of tone” (The Times), and George Hall for his “outstanding tonal beauty” (The Stage).
Glyndebourne’s production of Saul runs until 27th November and is on tour from 6th.
