Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Tobias Kratzer

Carl Nielsen's Maskarade makes a welcome rare appearance, with a great time had by everyone onstage and off.

An outstanding role debut from Davidsen, a star-studded vocal cast and a revelatory orchestral performance make a Beethoven anniversary performance to savour.

Yesterday, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, where devotees of Richard Wagner converge annually from all over the world, opened its doors again for this year’s festival. Traditionally presented on the first evening, the new production for this season was Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg (to use the opera’s full name), presented to a capacity audience.

The Austrian composer’s rarely heard one-acter proves triumphant in an intelligent, moving staging.

Selectively unearthed from current critical editions, this fabulously performed new Hoffmann plumbs the murky depths of its antihero’s psyche.