Performer: Sabina Puértolas

Emilio Sagi’s brightly lit but simplistic staging of Il viaggio a Reims moves the action from northern France to a sunny spa hotel in warmer climes.

Fine singing from the quartet of lovers isn't enough to prevent Bychkov's slow tempi and Gloger's earnest direction from turning Così into a very long evening.

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra was in glittering form, while strong singing and acting enhanced each other in the evocative woodland of Claus Guth’s Don Giovanni.

Pianist Vadym Kholodenko gives a thrilling performance of Beethoven's Fourth, and the RTVE orchestra and chorus impress in the Ninth Symphony.

The revival of Pierre Audi’s production of Handel's Alcina at the Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg is blessed with an excellent cast, led by Sandrine Piau who gives an unforgettable performance as the sorceress.

The opening night of Paolo Pinamonti's second season as director of the Teatro de la Zarzuela had, in principle, its fair share of artistic incentives but unfortunately turned out to be a dismal season start.