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

Barrie Kosky brings his trio of Puccini productions to a close with another triptych: Il trittico in a triumphant staging. 

Sir George Benjamin conducts Ligeti and his own Into the Little Hill at the Concertgebouw. 

A new production of Vivaldi's Byzantine opera Il Giustino charms Berlin, thanks to René Jacobs' exemplary conducting and a top-level cast led by Christophe Dumaux.

Romeo Castellucci's intense production of Bartók's opera reaps its rewards in the performance under Teodor Currentzis, but Carl Orff's opera-oratorio De temporum fine comoedia feels little more than a drab filler. 

The Norwegian soprano proved near-ideal, with ethereal high notes and a steeliness well suited to the character.

An entertaining night of Baroque music, costume and movement, but above all wonderful singing, at the historic Orangerieschloss at Potsdam

Leading five choirs, fine soloists and a glowing Netherlands Philharmonic, conductor Marc Albrecht emphasised the human struggle in a highly dramatic performance of Mahler’s mammoth eighth symphony.

Back for its third run at Dutch National Opera, with a satisfying cast, McBurney's staging wins new converts. 

McBurney's brilliant stagecraft brings child-like wonderment to the most hardened adults; his interpretation and Raphaël Pichon's conducting exude Mozartian rightness.

Dutch summer Romance? Yes, that's a thing. With some virtuoso dancing thrown in for good measure.

Deutsche Oper Berlin performed an intensely focussed opera on the birth and death of one man based on Jon Fosse's novel – a memorable and moving contemplation on life.

A threadbare staging from Graham Vick allows Haas’ innovative score to shine. Drama is modest, but complements sophisticated music to project an impressively unified vision.

The child-woman Lulu is a reflective receptacle for desire in Dutch National Opera’s extraordinary filmic production.

The Dutch Concert Choir impressed surprisingly in the annual May 4th WWII memorial concert at the Concergebouw, offering an impressive rendition of Hans Kox's rarely performed Anne Frank Cantata and Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. 

Martijn Padding's opera Laika is let down by its libretto, which illustrates that though authors may write successful novels, this doesn’t necessarily imply they can also produce good theatre texts.