Performer: John Nelson

After their terrific Troyens in 2017, John Nelson, Michael Spyres, Joyce DiDonato and Nicolas Courjal return to Strasbourg for a fabulous Faust. 

Michael Spyres' long lyrical line in the Sanctus was outstanding, his tone ardent and ringing.

Nothing is better than when Berlioz ramps up the decibels. With a huge orchestra and choir and a deluxe starry cast assembled in Strasbourg, this was a special performance. 

In Ron Daniels' production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Santa Fe Opera, the specter of death and the possibility of judgment is always center stage. 

It was no Christmas miracle, but the OSM's technically strong Bach concert brought a dignified kind of cheer to the most wonderful time of the year.

Joanna MacGregor's 'Exotic Birds', in an imaginatively programmed Auckland Philharmonia concert, gets our reviewer all aflutter.