Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Robyn Lyn Evans

David Pountney completes his “Verdi trilogy” for the company but although his staging has fluidity, it lacks an explosive ending... and the vocal performances disappoint. 

It is a thing of wonder that Roberto Devereux is one of Donizetti’s lesser known works. Whether on account of its challenging soprano part, or its fussy Tudor setting, it is rarely performed, but contains some of the composer’s most beautiful – and indeed memorable – arias and duets.

Wonderful singing and playing liven up a slightly lifeless staging of Mozart's turbulent masterpiece. 

Producing one of the most well-known and popular operas in a fresh way on a limited budget is a challenge for anyone. Longborough Festival Opera show how it can be done. 

Rudolf Frey's production of Nabucco for Welsh National Opera undercuts the solemnity and beauty of the opera, detracting from some fine performances. 

A welcome return for Tim Albery's intelligent production of Verdi's Macbeth with Opera North at Leeds Grand Theatre.

It is always a challenge to take live opera to the places opera does not reach, and let’s face it, many people live a distance from the main performing venues. A long drive home after a three-hour opera or an overnight stay in the city weeds out all but the dedicated followers.