Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Gabriele Sagona

In the Italian version of Verdi's French grand opéra, Emma Dante updates the action from 1282 to the organised crime of the Sicilian Mafia. 

Argentinian film director Damián Szifron's production is lauded in Naples, as are star soloists Anita Rachvelishvili and Brian Jagde.

The big season opener at La Scala offers few surprises in a traditional staging, although Yusif Eyvazov proved his worth in the title role. 

The 2013 Salzburg production of Damiano Michieletto's Falstaff finally arrives in Milan where the director sets the opera in “Casa Verdi”, the Milanese residence for elderly singers and musicians.

A beautiful production by Alvis Hermanis of Madama Butterfly to open La Scala's new season, but it was Riccardo Chailly's presentation of Puccini's original 1904 score which caught the ear. 

After 120 years Puccini's La bohème returns where it was first produced on February 1, 1896. Ale Ollé, director fron "La Fura dels Baus" stages a modern rendition of the moving masterpiece.

La Scala might not have had all the right cards in its garter Tuesday night to prevent ending up holding aces and spaces, but it’s hard to play without a full deck in the first place.

Good overall singing, but the Steinberg's conducting was completely subordinate to the stage directions.