Performer: Stephen Richardson

Finding a partner for Bartók's creepy one-acter is a thorny problem, but Welsh National Opera pairs it with Stravinsky's ‘opera-oratorio’ for its season opener. 

Warner once again displays her unquestionable talent onstage and her affinity with Benjamin Britten, although, on this occasion, the musical aspect are not equally satisfactory.

Richard Farnes returns to Opera North to conduct and Sam Brown directs a concert staging of Wagner's final opera, Parsifal. 

Deborah Warner's intelligent new Covent Garden staging provides the perfect backdrop for a strong singing cast in Britten's maritime masterpiece.

Richard Jones' setting is superb in its bare minimalism, but he pays great attention to all the psychological nuances in Janáček's opera. 

A memorable performance makes a worthy memorial to the late, great Bernard Haitink, who conducted the production's premiere.