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Fiona Maddocks
Classical Music Critic
Fiona Maddocks has been The Observer’s classical music critic since 2010. Her books include studies of Hildegard of Bingen and Harrison Birtwistle and, most recently,Goodbye Russia: Rachmaninoff in Exile.
Fiona Maddocks
Classical Music Critic
Fiona Maddocks has been The Observer’s classical music critic since 2010. Her books include studies of Hildegard of Bingen and Harrison Birtwistle and, most recently,Goodbye Russia: Rachmaninoff in Exile.
Benjamin Britten’s pioneering pacifist opera
Home listening: sopranos in the spotlight
Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is as subtle as a headbutt
What to do this weekend, from a lunchtime organ recital to snowdrop walks
Così fan tutte on Coney Island is a carnival of mischief and mania
Ralph Fiennes takes on Tchaikovsky in his deft opera debut
Is Lise Davidsen the soprano of the century?
Home listening: the latest classical releases
Alfred Brendel: a Musical Celebration – a night to remember
The best of classical in 2026
The best classical of 2025
A memorable Messiah, with King Charles in the house
Playlist of the week: songs for midwinter
The Kurt Cobain opera is hallucinogenic
The RCM’s Cunning Little Vixen is beguiling
Home listening: the best Christmas classical releases
Vive la farce: Handel’s Partenope returns to ENO
Vive la farce: Handel’s Partenope returns to ENO
What to do this weekend, from holy dancing to William Kentridge’s sculptures
