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Guth’s Semele turns myth into a contemporary domestic drama, where desire becomes obsession and illusion consumes reality. Handel’s music remains the true engine, driven by a thrilling, physically intense ensemble.

Presented without staging, Seattle Opera’s concert Daphne places Strauss’ extreme vocal demands and saturated orchestral writing in sharp relief, offering a high-risk encounter with a rarely heard late opera.

Davide Livermore creates a successful production of Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria at the Monteverdi Festival in Cremona, with a great cast led by Mauro Borgioni. 

Christophe Rousset leads Les Talens Lyriques and a stellar cast in a superb rendition of Mozart’s first opera seria.

La Scala revives Giorgio Strehler’s historic production with a solid cast led by veteran Ambrogio Maestri, under the baton of an inspired Daniele Gatti.

Federico Maria Sardelli leads a great cast of specialists in a new production by Fabio Ceresa, perfectly attuned to the Baroque style.