Performer: Michael Fabiano

Barrie Kosky's well-travelled staging reaches Naples with fine performances from orchestra, chorus and singers mixed with some questionable musical and directorial decisions.

One of Puccini's less renowned works returns to the Teatro San Carlo after over thirty years away.

Laurent Pelly’s darkly stylish production of Manon is revived with a strong cast of singers. In the title role, Lisette Oropesa demonstrated elegant and incisive singing, while Michael Fabiano was her virile and powerful partner.

Nadine Sierra's Gilda is the highlight of Michael Sher's polished production, which doesn't quite tug at the heartstrings.

A devilishly fun performance of Gounod's take on Goethe, saved when Mandy Fredrich flew in at short notice to take over the role of Marguerite. 

The real triumph of Michael Fabiano's role debut as Werther lay in controlling the bold intensity of his voice in favour of a sweet and lower-key level of passion – a match for Massenet's frequent choice of the cello.