Performer: Marcelo Puente

Sir David McVicar's unassuming production fails to engage with the political side of Verdi's masterpiece, despite good conducting by Nicola Luisotti and some good singing by a solid cast. 

Musically, a rewarding Forza, but Homoki's staging is best forgotten.

The use in the score of ancient musical instruments is what differentiates this work: pifferi, a lute, a “viola pomposa” give this work a distinctive flavour.

Ermonela Jaho sure likes to put herself (and us) through the emotional wringer on Covent Garden's stage. This time, London finally got to see her as another tragic Puccini heroine: Madama Butterfly.

In der Göteborger Inszenierung der Butterfly gab es viel zu hören, viel zu sehen, viel zu erleben: so soll Oper sein!