The Russian Virtuoso: RTÉ Concert Orchestra in Dublin

Max Richter's Recomposed: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons is performed by the Norwegian violinist Mari Samuelsen and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. 

Paul Curran's production of Carmen is entertaining and slick, with Paula Murrihy as a feisty heroine.

Byrne is stunning in the title role while a strong cast of singers, orchestra, classic sets and dramatic acting make this a thoroughly enjoyable performance. 

Ailish Tynan's powerful soprano soared above the massive forces of the choir in the thundering "Libera Me" – a wall of sound that blew the audience away.

Joshua Bloom and Paula Murrihy excel in Irish National Opera's staging of Bartók's opera, although director Enda Walsh takes too many liberties with the libretto. 

Roddy Doyle's new translation is ingenious more often than incongruous; John Molloy's Leporello steals the show in the Opera Theatre's Don Giovanni.