Artiste: Kateřina Štefková

Alice Nellis' staging of Purcell's masterpiece is both historically faithful and innovatively modern. With Collegium 1704 providing the early music chops, it's a rare treat.

An ambitious effort to honor hometown hero Otakar Ostrčil sags under its own weight at the Prague National Theatre. 

Lively singing saves Magdalena Švecová's listless production of Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Národní divadlo.