Performer: Lisandro Abadie

Inspirations for Handel's great work Israel in Egypt followed by a performance of the full work is a great idea, but the main event suffers at the Handel Festival Halle. 

With dazzling set designs and powerhouse sopranos, Karlsruhe’s Rinaldo upholds the opera's Baroque fantasy allure in a flawed yet fascinating production, conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini. 

Even without the costumes and choreography, Collegium 1704's presentation of Arsilda was enthralling.

A successful musical production of Lully’s masterpiece with Perm Opera’s MusicAeterna chorus and orchestra, Le Poème Harmonique, and a tremendous French-Russian cast.

Collegium 1704 serves up a sumptuous Christmas confection with lush cantatas drawn from the dark pages of European history.

James Gaffigan, aided by a fine cast of soloists led by the full-blooded Rigoletto of Dimitri Platanias, demonstrated that Verdi's powerfully dramatic music does not need staging to keep the audience captivated.