Performer: Mika Kares

Marcus Lobbes’ AI Ring is drawing to a close. The tension between musical excellence and the underwhelming production is clearly palpable.

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.

In Helsinki, Antony McDonald pairs Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta with a staged version of Sibelius’ tone poem Luonnotar, brilliantly voiced by soprano Silja Aalto.

With Claus Guth directing and Simone Young on the podium, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden's new production of Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina proves that the past isn't really past. 

Albery's production allows the opera to speak for itself, although sluggish pacing in the pit detract from the musical merits of this revival.