Performer: Miles Mykkanen

Great singing and imaginative spectacle cannot turn an ambitious operatic premiere into a convincing whole. 

Inspired by Annie Ernaux’s The Years, Philip Venables’ new opera widens the canvas to take in the whole of Europe’s postwar generation. 

Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus, was never meant to challenge grand opera for profundity and Barrie Kosky pokes fun at Viennese high society in his riotous staging.