Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.
Gabriel Bebeşelea's debut with the RPO brought two composers from his native Romania – George Enescu and Ciprian Porumbescu – and paired them with Mozart and Saint-Saëns in an interesting, albeit patchy concert.
Simon McBurney's production of The Magic Flute continues to delight and this revival benefits from a strong cast, led by the superb Lucy Crowe as Pamina.
Rossini's Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra is a hard work to love and English Touring Opera's new production which launched at the Hackney Empire Theatre struggled to make a case for regular outings.
Rouvali's role as the Phiharmonia's Principal Guest Conductor may prove to be one of the most exciting musical relationships in London, based on their remarkable performance of Eine Alpensinfonie that headlined an all-Strauss programme.
Perhaps feeling that the drama and emotion of the Ring Cycle wasn't enough for one year, Antonio Pappano assembled a strong quartet and deployed the ROH's forces in a powerful, moving performance of Verdi's Messa da Requiem.
Vladimir Jurowski led the LPO in a thoughtful and though-provoking concert that paired Beethoven's only full-length ballet, the joyous and energetic Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus with Stravinsky's cool and melancholy Orpheus.
The Berliners' second concert comprised the core repertoire for which they are famous, Beethoven and Strauss. Under the dynamic baton of their incoming Principal, Kirill Petrenko, these warhorses were made fresh again.
The Minnesota Orchestra’s visit offered a chance to hear Gershwin’s Piano Concerto and Ives’ Symphony no. 2, though the former suffered somewhat from an absence of spark.
It's not easy to imagine a freezing Parisian attic when you're in the middle of the rolling Dorset countryside in a baking summer, but Dorset Opera's excellent production of Puccini's La bohème is atmospheric enough to do so.
To works by Mendelssohn and Schumann, Søndergård added music by two impressive female composers who died far too young and whose works are far less known than they should be, Lili Boulanger and Morfydd Owen.
From the stately front of The Grange, an impressive moustache looms large, welcoming the audience to a production of Rossini's masterpiece that baffles, confuses and delights the audience.
Classical Opera’s performance of one of Mozart’s earliest operas throbbed with youthful energy; a strong cast brought the humour to life and made up for any weakness in the score.
Opera Holland Park starts its 2018 season with a bang (and a cough), offering a splendid new production of La traviata. Lauren Fagan is a sensational Violetta, but the production is a real company effort and achievement.
