Artiste: Thomas Blunt

The tears of a clown behind the public mask? Glyndebourne's first ever production of Rigoletto takes the audience to Hollywood in the silent film era. 

Paula Sides as Donna Anna has an appealing sound throughout her range, a hint of spinto power, and gave the vocal performance of the night.

Daisy Evans' take on Verdi's iconic tale of love stymied by the cruelty of others is characteristically innovative and insightful, while also blessed with a remarkable central performance from Anna Patalong. 

Longborough Festival Opera have opted for Donizetti for the first time, with Don Pasquale.  How successful would the cast be at unleashing the ‘feel-good factor’ of opera buffa?

A beautiful evening of rare and royal music by Gluck, in the year of his 300th anniversary, and even an even rarer setting of Orfeo by Bertoni: it was just a pity we couldn't follow all the words, as well as all the notes, at St John's Smith Square.