Performer: Emilio Sagi

The New National Theatre in Tokyo revives its traditionalist Rigoletto, featuring Vladimir Stoyanov as the cursed court jester, Eri Nakamura as Gilda and Lawrence Brownlee debuting as the Duke of Mantua.

Lawrence Brownlee further cements his status as the world's leading bel canto tenor with a blazing performance as Rodrigo, the unlikely central figure in Rossini's rendering of the Shakespearean tragedy.

Appearing in Naples after an absence of 34 years, Bellini's opera was given in a concert performance headed by Lisette Oropesa and Xabier Anduaga.

Rossini's operatic sketch show provides a great showcase for the talents of the festival's academy for young singers.

Yoncheva passed the test in style, providing a scintillating delivery that drew feverish approval from the public.

Emilio Sagi’s brightly lit but simplistic staging of Il viaggio a Reims moves the action from northern France to a sunny spa hotel in warmer climes.