Edinburgh Fringe: A Tapestry of Many Threads by Alexander McCall Smith and Tom Cunningham

A contrasting Double Bill of classic Purcell and a little-known French absurdist opera by Poulenc provides an entertaining evening of contrasts.

With a cast of over 20 parts, here sung by 18 soloists, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland made a bold choice by staging Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria to showcase the current students at the Opera School. Continuing the “Opera Up Close and Personal” series, this was performed in the tiny opera studio to an audience of around 100, creating an intimate evening of early music.

Claudio Monteverdi was employed by Victor Gonzaga, the Duke of Mantua, but was dismissed from the court when his son Francesco Gonzaga took title in 1612. Monteverdi moved to Venice to take up the appointment of Director of Music at St Mark’s Basilica.

Neil Armfield's production for State Opera South Australia combines a sparkling night of entertainment with first class musical values. 

Excellent performances cannot turn a conventional production of Massenet’s Werther into a dramatic experience for the 21st century. 

Allan Clayton and Sir Bryn Terfel lead a strong cast in a revival of Deborah Warner's dark staging of Britten's signature work at Covent Garden.