Performer: Lidiya Yankovskaya

The Armenian soprano makes her Grange Festival debut – a casting coup that proves the single most compelling reason to see Max Webster’s new production.

Danielle de Niese's assumes the title role at the Sydney Opera House, leading an impressive cast with an interesting approach to characterisation with a somewhat over the top blingy setting. 

A fine ensemble cast brings Puccini's triptych of one-acters to the Sydney Opera House stage, with stand-out performances from Lauren Fagan, Viktor Antipenko, Simon Meadows and Angela Hogan.

A semi-staging of Bartók's tale of doors and brides at the Coliseum is saved from disaster when Jennifer Johnston steps in to sing Judith at very short notice, with the part gamely acted by Crispin Lord.

House debutants, soprano Nicole Chevalier and conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya, excel in Isabella Bywater's Górecki staging to close English National Opera's season.

Cut-down Mozart meets monochrome cinema. This certainly won’t be the most sumptuous Don you’ll ever see, but it is committed, imaginative and admirably compact.