Performer: Fabio Trümpy

This revival of Christof Loy's 2014 production of Alcina launched the New Year at Oper Zürich in magnificent fashion.

At the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Orchestra of the 18th Century conducted by Kenneth Montgomery gave a lively and expressive performance of Mozart’s Nozze, that emphasized the witty charm of the piece. Soloist included Henk Neven’s aristocratic Count and Ilse Eerens’ delightful Susanna.

An uneven yet unforgettable performance, thanks to conductor Jaap van Zweden’s seductive colouring of the score and Jennifer Wilson’s refulgent Isolde.

It is the first version of Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle, with piano and harmonium, that the Flemish Radio Choir and Hervé Niquet chose to perform, their fine performance demonstrating the originality and impact of this more intimate version.

Seeing Zürich Opera’s new production of Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria made me wonder why this is the least performed of Monteverdi's three surviving operas. 

Opera being a strongly visual art form as well as a musical one, the idea of a pure concert performance seems a little strange to those unfamiliar with the form.