Performer: Michael Volle

Once again, one looks in vain for visual coherence in this production of Siegfried, but the cast of this Ring cycle will remain unrivalled for a long time to come.

In Die Walküre, we once again delve into absurd AI-generated visual worlds and disjointed associations. Musically, however, this Ring cycle remains well worth listening to.

Fans of Regietheater and purists alike are in for a rough ride with this new AI-generated Ring at the Bayreuth Festival, although Christian Thielemann delivers a memorable performance to mark the 150th anniversary.

The Vienna Philharmonic's first concert at this year's Salzburg Festival pairs Oedipus Rex with the Symphonie fantastique, with Esa-Pekka Salonen stepping in for Lorenzo Viotti. 

Even locked behind a music stand, like a caged panther in a sleek black gown, Grigorian’s Salome bristles with dramatic energy in Barbican concert performance of Strauss’ “scherzo with a fatal conclusion”. 

In this first part of a two part interview, one of the world's most acclaimed opera directors explains his craft: why it starts and ends with the music.