Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Iain Henderson

This abridged version of Massenet's Cendrillon was clearly chosen for a wide Sydney audience, succeeding as a popular offering in the Australian summer holiday season. 

A hoary old production of an operatic warhorse is brought to quite energetic life by a sparkling cast and excellent musical and dramatic performance.

80% less of Shakespeare's text adds up to more intensity in Brett Dean's Hamlet as Neil Armfield's staging is mounted by Opera Australia. 

A fine ensemble cast brings Puccini's triptych of one-acters to the Sydney Opera House stage, with stand-out performances from Lauren Fagan, Viktor Antipenko, Simon Meadows and Angela Hogan.

Damiano Michieletto's imaginative take on Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann is lavish fun, with star turns from Jessica Pratt, Iván Ayón Rivas and Marko Mimica.

Gorgeous sets and costumes aren't quite enough to make this La traviata revival sparkle.

Graeme Murphy's legendary staging of Puccini's final opera remains a vital combination of strong storytelling and visual panache.

Fine performances from a confident cast brought some terrific singing as well as depth of characterisation in Stravinsky’s only full-length opera.