Last month, Tomáš joined Welsh National Opera for their opening night of Khovanshchina at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. The production, directed by David Pountney, has already received many reviews with high praise.
“WNO’s music director Tomáš Hanus revelled in the opportunities this colourful score afforded him for mood and emphasis, and his orchestra responded with virtuosic assurance.” WhatsOnStage, September 2017
“…the WNO orchestra under conductor Tomas Hanus ensure that Shostakovich’s marvellous orchestration (with Stravinsky’s finale) is full of colour and strength, as well as agony. Unmissable.” Independent, September 2017
“…in the hands of David Pountney and WNO’s new musical director Tomáš Hanus it’s a stark and spellbinding [night in the theatre]” Bachtrack, September 2017
“WNO’s brilliant new Music Director Tomas Hanus brings out all the brazen primitivism in the harmonies and the impassioned lyricism in the vocal writing, as well as revelling in the sumptuous romanticism of the Overture and Dance of the Persian Slave (the latter strikingly performed with no holds barred by Beate Vollack). The orchestral playing is thrillingly pungent.” The Telegraph, September 2017
Khovanshchina performances continue across the UK until 31st October but there’s more to come from Tomáš Hanus and Welsh National Opera in their production of From the House of the Dead, which starts this weekend!