Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Patrizia Ciofi

Heart Chamber explores how small outer events often correspond to tectonic inner changes.

A trusty and convincing version of the masterpiece, with a cast of well-matched singers.

Handel arias showcased by non-Handelian soprano and great ensemble Il pomo d'oro, with commentary by Donna Leon.

Meyerbeer's little performed work is given an enthusiastic rendering, with star singing from a big cast led by Flórez, Ciofi and Jerkunica. David Alden's quality Personenregie makes up for some unconvincing setting choices.

A rare chance to hear Meyerbeer's comic opera Dinorah performed in a concert version by the Deutsche Oper Berlin leaves the reviewer concurring with the verdict of history.

For frothy entertainment, Pelly’s Fille is harmless fun, even if it descends into pantomime cliché. Juan Diego Flórez’s Tonio ensures it remains a hot ticket and Patrizia Ciofi’s Marie is a bundle of energy.

Robert le diable’s 1831 opening was perhaps the most successful opera première of all time. Meyerbeer was lauded by luminaries like Chopin, Dumas, Balzac and Heinrich Heine, the opera was played in 69 cities in its first two years and spawned an entire genre of French Grand Opera.

The nationality of Gaetano Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment is as confused as that of its eponymous heroine. Written by a homesick Italian expatriate for that most Parisian of venues the Opéra-Comique, it both continued Donizetti's Italian colonisation of the Paris opera scene (much bemoaned by Berlioz) and showed him adapting his style to the conventions of French theatre.