Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Meinem Kinde, Op.37 no.3

Xian Zhang brought out the beauty of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s engaging sound and soprano Fatma Said gracefully beguiled us with Strauss.

A majestic Mahler 4 from the Philharmonia under Lahav Shani, crowned by Chen Reiss’ wide-eyed rendition of Das himmlische Leben. 

In Wagner and Strauss, the beauty and power of Mattila's voice, still fresh and flexible, left the audience reeling in a recital that was a showcase for technique and artistry.

Elina Garanča can always be counted on for a coolly polished performance. Her silvery mezzo is beautiful, even throughout her range, and impeccably on pitch. She is musically tasteful, and her sound has grown in recent years. But something often seems to be missing. While she’s too accomplished to call bland, her performances rarely show evidence of a beating heart.