Instrument: Video Artist

This was opera which found expression using modern technology in a way that did not offend, intimidate or distract the audience, but rather enhanced the experience.

****1

And the winner is: Terence Blanchard’s Champion comes to the Met

Robert Levine, 18 Apr

The compelling story of boxer Emile Griffith's struggles with guilt and sexuality are not ideally rendered in James Robinson's new production.

***11

Illuminating history-makers: Nixon in China lands in Madrid

David Karlin, 17 Apr

John Adams’ opera about Richard Nixon’s historic meeting with Mao Tse-Tung is performed with all round excellence, with a real find on the podium in the shape of Olivia Lee-Gunderman.

****1

A dark, gothic Lucia di Lammermoor finally makes it to La Scala

Laura Servidei, 13 Apr

Riccardo Chailly conducts a wonderful, integral performance of Donizetti’s masterpiece, with two of the greatest bel canto singers of our times.

*****

Beauty and courage in Tristan und Isolde in Munich

Ako Imamura, 10 Apr

Bayrischer Staatsoper’s revival of Warlikowski’s static production of Tristan und Isolde featured a sensational role debut of Elena Pankratova as Isolde.

****1

Puccini and Bartók nightmares at the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome

Alissa Balocco, 06 Apr

Michele Mariotti and Johannes Erath lead us into the caverns of Il tabarro and Bluebeard’s Castle with two stories of violence against women

****1

Cinders returns to the ball in resplendent new clothing

Deborah Weiss, 27 Mar

With sumptuous new set designs and costumes, The Royal Ballet are in splendid form in Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella.

****1

Performers

Abel, Bibi Al Charif, Bissane Aleu, Franc Andiel, Arian Ash, Christopher Bannwart, Patrick Barritt, Paul Batereau, Philipp Baxter, Tim Becker, Christina Bill, Sami Blumert, Marlene Bo Nystrup, Jakob Braun, Manuel Brodie, Daniel Burkhalter, Tieni Corréia, Paulo Curran, Lee Del Carlo, Lucca Deng, Dori Derendinger, Sarah Duke, Will Dupouey, Sébastien Duranteau, Eric Emetaz, Greg Filshtinsky, Gleb Flaherty, Peter Giusti, Marco Grünberg, Klaus Guiol, Etienne Gunnarsson, Alexander Gunning, Kim Guéguin, Denis Haupt, Philipp Held, Joshua Higgason, Joshua Hillers, Philip Hinrichs, Momme Horvath, Roland Iansac, Regis Imhoff, Daniela Ivancsics, Andreas Jäckle, Günter Kitzig, Aron Kondek, Chris Krawen, Luis August Kunttu, Mikki König, Julia Köster, Hans-Joachim Labbé, Boris Lada, Krystian Lampadova, Valeria Larsen, Adam Levilain-Clément, Anatole Loonen, Sander Macias, Bartek Meyer, Serge Michiels, Kenneth Mocňák, Michal Moka, Franck Moro, Pierpaolo Möller, Torge Pauwels, Stijn Pflanz, Robert Polak, Kamil Poluboyarinov, Alexey Pont, Grégoire Reimer, Thomas Robson{Video}, Isabel Ross, Finn Rubiano, Renaud Salsilli, Guido Scherpink, Alexander Schramm, Jo Shagalov, Ilya Signeyrole, Marie-Ève Steinmassl, Susanne Stofer, Ruth Sumera, Tammo Toutain-Lopez, Mehdi Unknown Van Caudenberg, Paul Van Loock, Senne Verde, Sergio Vilkārsis, Mārtiņš Vitalini, Roberto Voigt, Robi Vöhringer, Gabriele Walther, Arne Wasileski, Hannah Yarden, Tal YeastCulture Zander, Bert Zimmermann, Carmen Zorn, Friedrich fettFILM rocafilm