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Tosca is back for another run, more dimly lit than ever, but illuminated by French baritone Ludovic Tézier as a Scarpia oozing with sinister charm and ironic humour. 

Sir Mark Elder conducts his final opera performance as Musical Director of The Hallé, a rare chance to hear the original version of Verdi's middle period opera. 

The second cast of the season for Oliver Mears' new Royal Opera production augments the intelligent staging with superb singing and acting.

A sublime Federica Lombardi leads a young cast of mostly Italian singers in a revival of Sir David McVicar's popular staging. 

In its 25th anniversary season, Richard Eyre's production continues to attract the world's great sopranos to the role of Violetta, the latest being Aleksandra Kurzak. 

Violetta Valéry was Armenian soprano Hrachuhí Bassénz, who made a strong impression on the audience, certainly by the end.

The young singers spin any raw material into opera gold, sending the audience home as uplifted as if they’d just glugged a bellyful of Pimm’s.

Barrie Kosky's divisive production returns to The Royal Opera but has lost its zing. 

The French-Sicilian tenor shines in Sir David's McVicar's pristine take on Umberto Giordano's slice of verismo. 

A devilishly fun performance of Gounod's take on Goethe, saved when Mandy Fredrich flew in at short notice to take over the role of Marguerite. 

On her house debut, in Covent Garden's second cast of the year, Angel Blue is completely convincing as Verdi's doomed courtesan; Benjamin Bernheim is an unconventional but compelling Alfredo; Simone Piazzola a persuasive Germont père.

The Albanian soprano, who made a spectacular jump-in for her house debut in Richard Eyre's production in 2008, makes a splendid return. 

Barrie Kosky's troubled production returns to Covent Garden

Una Luisa Miller inteligente y bien trabajada se impuso al sobresalto. Sir Mark Elder dirigió desde el foso su segunda función como titular de Les Arts.