Performer: Boris Stetka

It was fitting that one of The Royal Opera's most loyal servants, Renato Balsadonna – Chorus Director of the Royal Opera Chorus from 2004-16 – was in the pit for this anniversary performance, leading an often thrilling musical account. 

Marco Tullio Giordana's new production at the Maggio Musicale may be static, but musically there's much to enjoy in this rare slice of middle-period Verdi.

Daniele’s Abbado’s black-box production of Don Carlo augurs a crash landing with no survivors.