Performer: Mei Gui Zhang

A rising German conductor draws superb playing from the orchestra in the Met’s fifth revival of Richard Eyre’s witty 2014 production.

An excellent cast and smart, engaged direction make for an auspicious season launch in San Francisco Opera’s production of one of Verdi’s most sophisticated creations.  

Lucas Meachem’s portrayal suggests a paraphrase of what another Hollywood Don Juan, Errol Flynn in 1949, said to his Leporello in excusing his escapades. “My dear friend, there’s a little bit of Don Giovanni in every man, and since I am Don Giovanni, there must be more of it in me!” 

A memorable night at the opera as Andris Nelsons conducts Così fan tutte at the Tanglewood Festival. 

Personnel changes plague the world premiere of Vespers of a Blessed Earth, which sounds an urgent musical alarm on the harms of climate changes.

The Metropolitan Opera performs the original French version of Don Carlos for the first time with a distinguished ensemble of soloists, but the static production offers no new insights into the depth of Verdi's masterpiece.