Performer: Marcello Giordani

Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera's staging for Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège is stolid in direction, but Speranza Scappucci breathes life into Verdi's drama from the pit. 

Quality singing impresses in Puccini's opera at the Hungarian State Opera, despite a dusty staging.

Too many paparazzi and not enough Puccini in Robert Carsen’s Manon Lescaut in Vienna.