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Sir Mark Elder celebrates 50 years at Covent Garden by returning to his first opera there in 1976 – Verdi's Rigoletto – in a revival of Oliver Mears' excellent 2021 production.

Oliver Mears' new staging impresses and Jakub Hrůša's first season as Music Director excites interest. But the evening belongs to Anna Netrebko.

Handel's last oratorio is stylishly set in the composer’s era, with an all-star cast of Handelian singers who give their all.

It's been a long wait since Cardiff Singer 2015, but the Mongolian baritone gives an outstanding vocal portrayal of Verdi’s doomed jester at the Royal Opera House.

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

Oliver Mears’ first production since becoming Director of Opera also heralds the start of a new Royal Opera season, with a full house finally returning after the long Covid hiatus.