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The Orchestra of the 18th Century proves the main asset of a rewarding Don Giovanni at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. 

Tim Mead impresses; William Christie and Les Arts Florissants lack the heft to fill the Royal Albert Hall.

To celebrate its 50th birthday Dutch National Opera put on a festive tribute to the people that have made it the innovative and much-admired house it is today.

At the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Orchestra of the 18th Century conducted by Kenneth Montgomery gave a lively and expressive performance of Mozart’s Nozze, that emphasized the witty charm of the piece. Soloist included Henk Neven’s aristocratic Count and Ilse Eerens’ delightful Susanna.

The task sounded Herculean: turning Benvenuto Cellini, that reputedly difficult, flawed work by Berlioz, into an utterly entertaining show that renders justice to its youthfully energetic music. This is what Terry Gilliam manages to pull off... and it is nothing short of miraculous.

Bieito and Oper Stuttgart's Platée is a true riot, with outstanding vocal performances from Thomas Walker in the cross-dressing title role, and Lenneke Ruiten as a rock star, guitar-toting La Folie.

A winning young cast discovers that all's not well that ends well in the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century’s virtuosic Così fan tutte at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam.

On Good Friday, Cappella Amsterdam, conducted by Daniel Reuss, gave a beautifully refined rendition of Bach's St John Passion at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century and the riveting Evangelist of Anders Dahlin.