Performer: Niamh O'Sullivan

Bruno Ravella's splendid 2021 production of Strauss' opera of Viennese manners returns with a fine cast. 

David Pountney's vernacular translation and Ruth Knight's vivid staging lent a thrilling immediacy to Shostakovich's chilling opera.

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”. 

Superb Handelian singing and intense character acting light up Handel’s Semele, staged as a stark, uncompromising indictment of the rich and powerful. 

Michael Chioldi, Soraya Mafi and Bekhzod Davronov shine in Julien Chavez’ energetic production in Dublin’s Bord Gais Theatre. 

So many wonderful small details as well as the grand statements made this the extraordinary, thrilling performance of Mahler's second symphony Resurrection. 

BBC Radio 3 is celebrating 25 years of the New Generation Artists scheme with a special day of programming on Monday 3rd March.