Performer: Sylvia Schwartz

A fine singing cast gives creditable performances in Johann Stauss II's most famous operetta, but Paul Curran's updating of Act 2 to 1930s Berlin takes the fizz out of the Champagne.

Hamburg State Opera launches its new season with a visually overpowering but musically satisfying Così fan tutte.

The Iván Fischer Opera Company makes a triumphant foray into Verdi's oeuvre.

Iván Fischer's minimalist staging of Don Giovanni makes a triumphant return to Mupa, Budapest.

Mark Lamos' staging is a riot of colour and movement; George Souglides gives us a masterclass in costumery; fine Italian singing illuminates this Norwegian première for Rossini's madcap Il turco in Italia.

A classical setting and a varying degree of vocal and dramatic success for Mozart's miraculous score to Le nozze di Figaro.