Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
@markvalencia.bsky.social
Lucky man. Critic for Opera, Bachtrack and Musical America. Francophile, grandfather, passionately pro-EU. Previously with the blue bird until it got sick. Much happier here.
Jenny Mollica's appointment last year as CEO of ENO was a red-letter day for that troubled company. At last they had a leader who was capable and clear-sighted.
I'm very sad, therefore, that Ms Mollica is not staying in post beyond the current season. They desperately need a stayer.
I'm very sad, therefore, that Ms Mollica is not staying in post beyond the current season. They desperately need a stayer.
November 18, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Jenny Mollica's appointment last year as CEO of ENO was a red-letter day for that troubled company. At last they had a leader who was capable and clear-sighted.
I'm very sad, therefore, that Ms Mollica is not staying in post beyond the current season. They desperately need a stayer.
I'm very sad, therefore, that Ms Mollica is not staying in post beyond the current season. They desperately need a stayer.
Tonight I'm going to the London Coliseum to catch the last night of Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking.
Here's an inappropriate gif
Here's an inappropriate gif
a man and a woman in a scene from a disney + movie
ALT: a man and a woman in a scene from a disney + movie
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Tonight I'm going to the London Coliseum to catch the last night of Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking.
Here's an inappropriate gif
Here's an inappropriate gif
Intermission came very late in La Damnation de Faust at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. It's been running half an hour and counting - which adds insult to injury. Will the house still be full when it resumes? The suspense is killing me.
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Intermission came very late in La Damnation de Faust at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. It's been running half an hour and counting - which adds insult to injury. Will the house still be full when it resumes? The suspense is killing me.
Early flight to Paris to see Benjamin Berheim and Les Siècles in La Damnation de Faust by Berlioz.
Reviewing for Musical America
Reviewing for Musical America
a woman in a trench coat is standing in front of a river with the words bonjour paris on the bottom
ALT: a woman in a trench coat is standing in front of a river with the words bonjour paris on the bottom
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Early flight to Paris to see Benjamin Berheim and Les Siècles in La Damnation de Faust by Berlioz.
Reviewing for Musical America
Reviewing for Musical America
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
the right winger who was appointed to lead the BBC in the hope of appeasing right wingers has been driven out by right wingers for not appeasing right wingers enough and the BBC has the chance to do the funniest thing ever
November 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
the right winger who was appointed to lead the BBC in the hope of appeasing right wingers has been driven out by right wingers for not appeasing right wingers enough and the BBC has the chance to do the funniest thing ever
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
This is the most abysmal, pathetic thing. The BBC head resigning because the corporation is not supine *enough* to the far-right.
🔴 Breaking I Davie faced mounting criticism that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by Donald Trump
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
November 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This is the most abysmal, pathetic thing. The BBC head resigning because the corporation is not supine *enough* to the far-right.
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Not a moment too soon. Several years too late.
Political Editor New Statesman “SCOOP: Tim Davie is about to announce his resignation as Director General of the BBC, according to a person familiar with the matter.”
November 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Not a moment too soon. Several years too late.
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Never in the past 15 years has British Media lead by BBC & Sky been more awake and alert for issues that for the past 15 years they totally ignored 🙄🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
The 'Great Noticing' Era
Ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Never in the past 15 years has British Media lead by BBC & Sky been more awake and alert for issues that for the past 15 years they totally ignored 🙄🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
We are down to needing 168 food hampers for families in poverty for Christmas time please keep sharing we really appreciate all shares and help we can thank you all so much @grahunt.bsky.social @markvalencia.bsky.social @bdb.bsky.social @shedjudall.bsky.social l @trevorlfc01.bsky.social #redsky
November 9, 2025 at 11:05 AM
We are down to needing 168 food hampers for families in poverty for Christmas time please keep sharing we really appreciate all shares and help we can thank you all so much @grahunt.bsky.social @markvalencia.bsky.social @bdb.bsky.social @shedjudall.bsky.social l @trevorlfc01.bsky.social #redsky
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
In case this is useful to anyone who may not otherwise have seen it…
November 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
In case this is useful to anyone who may not otherwise have seen it…
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Jaywick may be England’s poorest place, but it’s rich in community. From music events to mentoring, residents are rebuilding pride from the ground up.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/business/eco...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/business/eco...
East Anglia: home to the richest and poorest
The Office for National Statistics has just published a report on deprivation in communities across England. What does it tell us about our deeply divided region?
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Jaywick may be England’s poorest place, but it’s rich in community. From music events to mentoring, residents are rebuilding pride from the ground up.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/business/eco...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/business/eco...
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
My night with EM @bachtrack.com
The glory and the grind: The Royal Opera stages its first Makropulos Case
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
My night with EM @bachtrack.com
Yes, but Mrs V got it in 1/6
Wordle 1,603 2/6
⬜🟩🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,603 2/6
⬜🟩🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
November 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Yes, but Mrs V got it in 1/6
Wordle 1,603 2/6
⬜🟩🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,603 2/6
⬜🟩🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Wonderfully clear-eyed, well-argued and convincing response to an entire production. Bravo @markvalencia.bsky.social
The glory and the grind: The Royal Opera stages its first Makropulos Case
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
November 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Wonderfully clear-eyed, well-argued and convincing response to an entire production. Bravo @markvalencia.bsky.social
For me, the saddest thing about Katie Mitchell today is her brilliance 20 years ago. Nowadays she's lampooned for her obsessive clichés but back then she directed some of the finest Chekhov I've ever seen and a version of Strindberg's A Dream Play that was unforgettable in its coherence and fluency.
November 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
For me, the saddest thing about Katie Mitchell today is her brilliance 20 years ago. Nowadays she's lampooned for her obsessive clichés but back then she directed some of the finest Chekhov I've ever seen and a version of Strindberg's A Dream Play that was unforgettable in its coherence and fluency.
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Fully removing the two-child benefit cap is the most effective way to support struggling families.
It would lift 470,000 children out of severe hardship.
That’s a no brainer, isn’t it?!
It would lift 470,000 children out of severe hardship.
That’s a no brainer, isn’t it?!
November 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Fully removing the two-child benefit cap is the most effective way to support struggling families.
It would lift 470,000 children out of severe hardship.
That’s a no brainer, isn’t it?!
It would lift 470,000 children out of severe hardship.
That’s a no brainer, isn’t it?!
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Yup, five-star-music, fewer-for-drama, though I'm a little bit more forgiving of the latter than this excellent review. #TheMakropulosCase
My night with EM @bachtrack.com
The glory and the grind: The Royal Opera stages its first Makropulos Case
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
November 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Yup, five-star-music, fewer-for-drama, though I'm a little bit more forgiving of the latter than this excellent review. #TheMakropulosCase
My night with EM @bachtrack.com
The glory and the grind: The Royal Opera stages its first Makropulos Case
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
✍️ Mark Valencia
bachtrack.com/review-janac...
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
My night with EM @bachtrack.com
Tonight I'll be at the Royal Opera House for the opening of Janacek's dramatic fantasy The Makropulos Case. Katie Mitchell directs, Jakub Hrusa conducts, Ausrine Stundyte is all the EMs.
Reviewing this wonderful opera for @bachtrack.com
Reviewing this wonderful opera for @bachtrack.com
The Outpost The Outpost Series GIF
ALT: The Outpost The Outpost Series GIF
media.tenor.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Tonight I'll be at the Royal Opera House for the opening of Janacek's dramatic fantasy The Makropulos Case. Katie Mitchell directs, Jakub Hrusa conducts, Ausrine Stundyte is all the EMs.
Reviewing this wonderful opera for @bachtrack.com
Reviewing this wonderful opera for @bachtrack.com
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
The modern world in old Ladybird books. The diesel.
“It is sad to think that the last steam locomotive to be built in Britain left the workshops in March, 1960”
Artist: Robert Ayton (1961)
“It is sad to think that the last steam locomotive to be built in Britain left the workshops in March, 1960”
Artist: Robert Ayton (1961)
November 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The modern world in old Ladybird books. The diesel.
“It is sad to think that the last steam locomotive to be built in Britain left the workshops in March, 1960”
Artist: Robert Ayton (1961)
“It is sad to think that the last steam locomotive to be built in Britain left the workshops in March, 1960”
Artist: Robert Ayton (1961)
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
I’m going tonight. Almost a totally different cast from the one you saw, so I hope I enjoy it as much as you seem to have done. I’ve seen Rheinnixen once before, when New Sussex Opera brought it to Cadogan Hall.
October 31, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I’m going tonight. Almost a totally different cast from the one you saw, so I hope I enjoy it as much as you seem to have done. I’ve seen Rheinnixen once before, when New Sussex Opera brought it to Cadogan Hall.
I wish everyone would lay off Jaywick Sands. To damn it nationally isn't going to help the town to develop self respect.
It didn't help that Deborah Warner used it as the model of a dysfunctional community in her production of Peter Grimes.
It didn't help that Deborah Warner used it as the model of a dysfunctional community in her production of Peter Grimes.
Jaywick in Farage's Clacton constituency named as most deprived neighbourhood in England - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
October 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I wish everyone would lay off Jaywick Sands. To damn it nationally isn't going to help the town to develop self respect.
It didn't help that Deborah Warner used it as the model of a dysfunctional community in her production of Peter Grimes.
It didn't help that Deborah Warner used it as the model of a dysfunctional community in her production of Peter Grimes.
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
So the letting agent has apologised for their screwup, not applying for a rental license on Reeve’s behalf..
So how long will Chris Mason & Laura Kuenssberg pick this to pieces, given they buried Farage allegedly avoiding £44K stamp duty, and his girlfriend, being investigated for fraud so fast🤔
So how long will Chris Mason & Laura Kuenssberg pick this to pieces, given they buried Farage allegedly avoiding £44K stamp duty, and his girlfriend, being investigated for fraud so fast🤔
Letting agent apologises to Reeves for not applying for rental licence on her behalf
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
So the letting agent has apologised for their screwup, not applying for a rental license on Reeve’s behalf..
So how long will Chris Mason & Laura Kuenssberg pick this to pieces, given they buried Farage allegedly avoiding £44K stamp duty, and his girlfriend, being investigated for fraud so fast🤔
So how long will Chris Mason & Laura Kuenssberg pick this to pieces, given they buried Farage allegedly avoiding £44K stamp duty, and his girlfriend, being investigated for fraud so fast🤔
Wordle 1,594 2/6
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Once in a while the odd thing happens
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Once in a while the odd thing happens
October 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Wordle 1,594 2/6
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Once in a while the odd thing happens
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Once in a while the odd thing happens
To Battersea Arts Centre tonight for the latest offering by @gothicopera.bsky.social, who had a terrific 2024 with Der Vampyr and Maria de Rudenz.
Offenbach tonight: a rare chance to hear the famous Barcarolle in its original guise within the rustic romance Die Rheinnixen.
Reviewing for Opera.
Offenbach tonight: a rare chance to hear the famous Barcarolle in its original guise within the rustic romance Die Rheinnixen.
Reviewing for Opera.
October 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
To Battersea Arts Centre tonight for the latest offering by @gothicopera.bsky.social, who had a terrific 2024 with Der Vampyr and Maria de Rudenz.
Offenbach tonight: a rare chance to hear the famous Barcarolle in its original guise within the rustic romance Die Rheinnixen.
Reviewing for Opera.
Offenbach tonight: a rare chance to hear the famous Barcarolle in its original guise within the rustic romance Die Rheinnixen.
Reviewing for Opera.