Instrument: Dramaturgy

A maximalist production of Pelléas et Mélisande at Geneva's Grand Théâtre shines, but tries a little too hard. 

At the Prague State Opera, Calixto Brieito relocates Mozart's opera seria to modern times, with disastrous results. 

Dutch National Ballet's triple bill, Monument, is a statement on Dutch artistry and ideology. 

At an hour and three-quarters, Dance People was over-long and the slogan-ising brought it dangerously close to being yet another show fulfilling all the vaguely right-on aims of this year's Festival.

Asmik Grigorian leads a searing performance in Martin Kušej’s 15-year-old, yet ever-fresh, outstanding production of Dvořák's opera.

Nearing the close of the season, Deutsche Oper Berlin premieres Rebecca Saunders’ first opera Lash – Acts of Love, a visceral reflection on love and death.

At MusikTheater an der Wien, Miroslav Srnka’s new opera provess a deeply compelling, meticulously crafted work. It may not uplift, but it sears itself into the memory.