Performer: Valentina Carrasco

Excellent vocal acting from Thomas Hampson, Renée Fleming, Xiaomeng Zhang and a magnificent orchestral performance conducted by Kent Nagano can't make Valentina Carrasco's production fully grip.

Valentina Carrasco's contemporary staging, with impressive sets and singing, makes for a remarkable show at the Teatro dell'Opera. 

Boccanegra butchered in Parma? Only in the sense that director Valentina Carrasca sets the opera in an abattoir... 

Living in an environment influenced by French culture, Verdi saw the chance of breathing new life into the Italian opera through the grand-opéra. Les Vêpres siciliennes is his successful attempt.

Johan Reuter leads an all star cast in a revelatory performance of George Enescu's masterpiece, aided by spectacular La Fura dels Baus staging.