Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Tannhäuser: O du, mein holder Abendstern (Song to the evening star)

In its tenth year and going strong, the biennial Éva Marton International Singing Competition fields an even level of talent in an entertaining finale. 

One of the greatest launching pads for an opera singer’s career, the Neue Stimmen once again proves its ability to attract the best operatic talents the world has to offer. 

Mismatching between programme and performers resulted in a disappointing evening of operatic all-time favourites.

A thrilling finale to the 2017 Cardiff Singer of the World

Cardiff Castle hosted an entertaining bout of medieval jousting yesterday afternoon, but in the evening all eyes and ears turned to the vocal jousting in St David’s Hall.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra really has the perfect Wagner sound. Their full, vibrant string tone and magnificent pealing brass were fully in evidence in a thrilling rendition of the concert version of the overture from Tannhäuser. Few moments in music are as exciting as the build-up to the Big Tune in this piece, and the orchestra’s performance here was barnstorming yet perfectly accurate.