Instrument: Spoken word

The gifted baritone Rafael Fingerlos lit up Lucerne’s Lukaskirche with Dichterliebe, the song cycle of 16 poems by Heinrich Heine.

This was a superbly assured performance in which Esa-Pekka Salonen marshalled his forces with a clear-sighted vision to carve out an account brimming with intensity, energy and commitment.

An exemplary cast, an opulent orchestra and unforgettable images in Arnold Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder.

The opening production of the 2017 Savonlinna Opera Festival had an optimistic message, strongly delivered by a cast led by the exceptional Konstanze of Hulkar Sabirova.

A well-sung revival of a witty and supremely theatrical production of Strauss’ operatic exposé.

Under the baton of René Jacobs, the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin dazzles in the Staatsoper's production of Purcell's "dramatick opera". 

Robert Longbottom's take on Donizetti's Daughter of the Regiment captures the spirit of bel canto in Washington DC.