Benjamin just wrapped up a 14-performance tour of the Netherlands with Opera Zuid and Philharmonie Zuidnederland. Whilst the modern and unconventional scenic aspects of the production divided the critics, the musical results were very warmly received throughout the country, with Pamina (Lilian Farahani) nominated for the country’s Schaunard Awards. You can read reviews here and here.
Benjamin made his debut in the “Chopin in his Europe” Festival, conducting the magnificent Orkiestra Historyczna {oh!} in the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall. Appearing with piano soloists Tobias Koch and Naruhiko Kawaguchi, the concert was live-streamed on Youtube and can be viewed here.
Benjamin made his debut at the Theater an der Wien / Wiener Kammeroper, conducting a new production of Bernstein’s Candide with the Wiener Kammerorchester in the pit. The critics were unanimous in their praise of this production and the musical aspects in particular: reviews can be read here and here.
Benjamin returned to Collegium Vocale Gent & Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin for Easter concerts in Antwerpen, Gent and Hamburg; they performed CPE Bach’s rarely heard but beautiful “Die letzten Leiden des Erlösers” to great acclaim. A glowing review from Abendblatt can be found here.
After a great success with a new production of “Fairy Queen” in 2016, Benjamin returns to Budapest to conduct Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” at the Hungarian National Opera. Benjamin leads this revival on March 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th. Further details here.
Benjamin will make his debut in the Cartagena International Music Festival, Colombia, conducting Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” in the recent Spoleto Festival Production. Further details here.
Benjamin returns for the third time to the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra with Dutch recorder virtuoso Lucie Horsch, presenting a mixed program of Telemann, Vivaldi, Sammartini, Bach and Rebel. Further details here.
Benjamin will make his debut with the Óbudai Danubia Zenekar and the New Liszt Ferenc Chamber Choir at the Budapest Music Centre, conducting Handel’s late masterpiece, “Alceste”. The first performance will be streamed live on music website Fidelio. Further details here.