Performer: Antony McDonald

In Helsinki, Antony McDonald pairs Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta with a staged version of Sibelius’ tone poem Luonnotar, brilliantly voiced by soprano Silja Aalto.

Richard Jones directs a new production at Tokyo's New National Theatre which lucidly articulates the structure of Berg’s expressionist music.

Two individual works worth seeking out with outstanding performances in each.

Kate Lindsey and Heidi Stober weave vocal magic in the latest Covent Garden revival of Humperdinck's box of delights. 

Singing performances are excellent, the staging is well crafted and Stravinsky's eclectic score entertains from start to finish. But it's an evening's opera that doesn't touch the soul.

A forgettable Hansel and Gretel is the worst offence of Antony McDonald’s leaden staging which returns to Covent Garden.