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The concert began with Imogen Holst's Persephone, a 12-minute tone poem written in 1929. The piece starts with a familiar, rippling woodwind passage that evokes Ravel's Daphnis and Chloé, but Holst's unique voice soon emerges, exploring texture, color, and tonality.Holst's work tells a story of rebirth, culminating in a glowing finale that references the music's beginning. The darker, uneasy sections feature a fugue-like passage for strings and muted brass, showcasing Holst's innovative approach.The program continued with Erich Wolfgang Korngold's 1945 Violin Concerto, performed by Vilde Frang. Frang's interpretation highlighted Korngold's melodiousness and the work's expressionistic roots in Vienna. Her silky, intense playing was balanced by a willingness to dispense with vibrato, revealing the music's strangeness and spikiness.The evening concluded with Dmitri Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. Pappano's direction kept the first movement on its toes, building tension through subtle increases in speed. The second movement was a heavy-footed dance, while the slow movement was a tragic, romantic masterpiece. The orchestra reached a thrilling, ear-ringing culmination in the final movement, with Pappano coaxing even more sound from the strings when it seemed they had reached their fullest extent.

Richard Wagner’s near‑death at sea in 1839 inspired the legend of the cursed ghost ship that underpins The Flying Dutchman. The Welsh National Opera (WNO) brings this myth to life in a fresh production that treats the libretto as a poetic meditation on birth, love, and mortality. Directed by Jack Furness, the opening scene intertwines a woman’s labor with the overture’s turbulent surges, symbolising the birth of Senta—destined to lose her mother and become haunted by the Dutchman’s promise of redemption, which can surface only once every seven years. Visual motifs—circling movements, blood‑red dresses echoing the ship’s sails—reinforce the cyclical fate of both protagonists. Designer Elin Steele and lighting designer Lizzie Powell conjure stormy seas and mist without literal ships, allowing the audience to focus on the raw emotions conveyed by the singers. Minimalist set pieces, occasional gold‑dust flourishes, and precise costume changes keep the drama tight and immersive. The cast delivers a musically rewarding performance. James Creswell shines as Daland with crystal‑clear German diction, while Simon Bailey portrays the tormented Dutchman with a compelling blend of menace and sympathy, especially in the final act. Rachel Nicholls as Senta offers a believable, passionately deluded love, delivering bel canto lines with immaculate pitch. Tenors Trystan Llŷr Griffiths (the Steersman) and Leonardo Caimi (Erik) make strong impressions, though the opera’s numerous choruses feel over‑extended. The WNO orchestra, under the authoritative baton of outgoing music director Tomáš Hanus, creates a convincing tempest that underpins the drama. Facing a thin 2026/27 season, the company is eager to prove its vitality, making these performances a must‑see—though audiences should not anticipate a conventional resolution. Staging dates include the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff (19 April), Theatre Royal Plymouth (24 April), Birmingham Hippodrome (7 May) and Milton Keynes Theatre (15 May).Review by Rian Evans, The Guardian, 17 April 2026.

Despite facing personal challenges, including a restraining order and homelessness, Kershaw continued to work in radio, eventually returning to Radio 3 to co-present Music Planet and report on The One Show.

A significant 53% of all voters support a full return to the EU, with 83% of Labour voters, 84% of Liberal Democrat voters, and 82% of Green party voters backing the policy. In contrast, only 39% of Conservative voters and 18% of Reform voters support rejoining the EU.Labour's approach to EU relations has been described as 'muted' and may risk losing support among progressive voters and in 'red wall' constituencies. The party's policy is to align with, but not join, the single market, which means it has no say in shaping regulations and directives.Experts warn that Labour's strategy may be flawed, as the loss of the liberal voter base on issues like Brexit could be more damaging than the loss to pro-Brexit parties. Neil Kinnock, the former Labour leader, believes that Labour will one day campaign for rejoining the EU, but did not provide a timeline.Anand Menon, director of UK in a Changing Europe, argues that Labour's position on EU relations is contradictory and economically unsustainable. He suggests that aligning with EU regulation would require constant monitoring to prevent accidental divergence.

Oil and gas prices experienced a significant decline of almost 10% on Friday following Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial shipping. This development could pave the way for tankers carrying millions of barrels of oil and gas to access the global market.Iran's foreign minister stated that vessels are free to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell by 9% to $90 a barrel, while the benchmark European gas contract dropped by about 8.5% to €38.80 (£33.80) per megawatt hour.The US naval blockade on Iran's use of the strait remains in full force, according to Donald Trump, until a deal is reached with Tehran. Trump expressed optimism that the process will move quickly, as most points have already been negotiated.The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted supplies of Middle Eastern crude and gas, as well as refined fuels from Gulf refineries, in what the International Energy Agency has described as the biggest energy supply crisis in history. Before the crisis, over 130 ships a day travelled through the strait, but this has reduced to a trickle under threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guards.There are currently around 800 tankers stuck in the Gulf, with about 300 being oil and gas tankers. It remains uncertain whether tankers will be required to pay a fee of about $2m (£1.5m) for safe passage through the strait.Analysts, such as Giovanni Staunovo from UBS, view Iran's comments as a sign of de-escalation, but emphasize the need to see a substantial increase in the number of tankers crossing the strait.

Negotiations are intensifying between the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) and the UK’s Super League over a prospective takeover that could reshape the sport’s calendar and governance. The NRL’s chief executive, Andrew Abdo, told The Guardian that any acquisition would hinge on a major investment package and a decisive move to re‑introduce a winter competition, the first such change since 1996.Abdo travelled to England this week to discuss the feasibility of the deal, emphasizing that the London Broncos would be pivotal to the NRL’s vision. He warned that British clubs would need to surrender the extensive control they currently wield if they hope to benefit from the financial backing the NRL could provide.The proposed shift to a winter schedule is driven by the prospect of a global broadcast arrangement that would allow the NRL to sell television rights throughout the year. While a summer season avoids clashing with the Premier League, Abdo argued that a unified calendar could attract new fans and sponsors on an international scale.Super League clubs are reportedly losing close to £20 million annually. An infusion of NRL capital could not only cover the salary‑cap obligations for every club but also free up resources for further investment in facilities, talent development and marketing.Governance would also undergo a overhaul. The NRL operates under an independent commission, whereas Super League’s club owners currently dominate decision‑making. Abdo stressed the need for an independent governing body to make “tough calls” and separate day‑to‑day club interests from the sport’s strategic direction.London’s role is another cornerstone of the plan. Abdo highlighted the city’s diverse population and commercial potential, suggesting that a strong London franchise could boost fan acquisition, sponsorship deals, and overall league visibility.With the existing Sky Sports broadcast contract set to expire at the end of the season, timing is critical. The NRL aims to align its own TV‑rights expansion with a possible partnership, viewing broadcasting as the key lever for global growth.While no formal offer has been lodged, Abdo indicated that the NRL will present its findings to its board and Australian clubs before any official proposal is made. The next few weeks will be decisive for both leagues as they weigh the benefits of a combined, year‑round rugby league ecosystem.

England's women's football team, the Lionesses, are on the cusp of a historic milestone as they prepare to play their 500th game against Iceland in a World Cup qualifier. Manager Sarina Wiegman has stressed the importance of securing a positive result to make their recent 1-0 victory over Spain even more valuable.Wiegman acknowledged that Iceland will present a different challenge, but she is confident that her team is ready. The Lionesses have three wins from three in their qualifying group, and with only the top team from each group in League A securing automatic qualification, the stakes are high.The team has been boosted by the return of Leah Williamson, who has not played since mid-March due to a thigh injury. However, Keira Barry is the only confirmed absence due to ankle problems.Lucy Bronze, who has 146 caps for England, reflected on the significance of the 500th game, saying it's 'insane' to think about. She expressed her pride in being part of the team's history and is optimistic about the future, citing the talent of young players like Lucia Kendall.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup as a result of the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) new financial strategy, prioritizing projects with potential returns. The country's sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, had expressed interest in bidding for the tournament last year, but no expression of interest was submitted to World Rugby.The PIF's 'value realization' phase of its Vision 2030 economic plan, published recently, has led to the decision to put rugby aspirations on hold. This shift in focus will impact various projects, including LIV Golf, which will see its funding withdrawn next year.While Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, had considered a joint bid, it has not materialized. World Rugby's bidding process is ongoing, with countries like Argentina, Japan, and Spain having submitted initial expressions of interest.The decision to step away from the Rugby World Cup bid was made before the conflict in Iran began, and the PIF governor, Yasir al-Rumayyan, confirmed that all spending projects are being reviewed. The PIF will continue to invest in sports but will focus on domestic projects, such as infrastructure related to the 2034 football World Cup and the Formula One track near Riyadh.

Sean Shibe's latest album, Vesper, is a masterclass in guitar virtuosity and imagination. The album features a thoughtfully curated selection of works by three British composers: Thomas Adès, Harrison Birtwistle, and James Dillon.Shibe's playing is acutely articulate and technically impeccable as he surveys the guitar's expressive potential through the lens of these composers. The album includes Thomas Adès's Forgotten Dances, a homage to the baroque dance suite, which combines stately harmonics with sneaking slides and pounces.The revelation for some will be five melodic miniatures by Harrison Birtwistle, including Berceuse de Jeanne and Sleep Song, bewitching lullabies that showcase Shibe's mastery of the guitar. Beyond the White Hand, a thorny piece that lasts over 18 minutes, is a testament to Shibe's technical skill and musicality.The album concludes with James Dillon's 12 Caprices, a series of concise meditations that explore the relationship between the structure of the instrument and its modes of expression. Overall, Vesper is a mind-expanding and imaginative recital that showcases Shibe's virtuosity and musicality.