Performer: Biagio Pizzuti

New National Theatre Tokyo's new staging of Donizetti's jolly Don Pasquale, in Stefano Vizioli's classic production, featured some sparkling vocal performances from a fine cast.

The biting wit of Vincenzo Grimani's libretto is well served by some knockout arias and excellent performances from a strong cast and the matchless Il pomo d'oro.

It is a thing of wonder that Roberto Devereux is one of Donizetti’s lesser known works. Whether on account of its challenging soprano part, or its fussy Tudor setting, it is rarely performed, but contains some of the composer’s most beautiful – and indeed memorable – arias and duets.

A star cast and red-hot conducting make for a memorable night at the Barbican.

An evening of exquisite Baroque music and flamboyant coloratura at the Royal Theatre in Versailles.

In Richard Jones' production of Don Giovanni at Theater Basel, it was the singers alone who stole the limelight.