Belgium Wagner, Götterdämmerung: La Monnaie Chorus and Symphony Orchestra / Alain Altinoglu (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Anaїs Spiro) from La Monnaie, Brussels, 23.2.2025 and available on YouTube or OperaVision until 23.8.2025. (JPr)
International Opera
All opera reviews from sources other that the UK
A superb performance of L’Orfeo in Valencia led by Leonardo Garcia Alarcón
Spain Monteverdi, L’Orfeo (concert version): Soloists, Choeur de Chambre de Namur, Capella Mediterranea / Leonardo García Alarcón (conductor). Palau de les Arts, Valencia, 23.2.2025. (JMI)
An intriguing double bill of operas by Falla and Torres in Madrid
Spain Falla, La vida breve & Torres, Tejas verdes: Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra of Teatro Real / Jordi Francés (conductor). Teatro Real, Madrid, 22.2.2025. (JMI)
Heartbeat Opera has a hit with its small-scale but potent Salome
United States Richard Strauss, Salome: Soloists, Band / Jacob Ashworth (conductor). Heartbeat Opera, Irondale Center, Brooklyn, 14.2.2025. (RP)
Revelatory production of Richard Strauss’s Die Liebe der Danae in Munich
Germany Richard Strauss, Die Liebe der Danae: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Bayerische Staatsoper / Sebastien Weigle (conductor). Nationaltheater, Munich, 15.2.2025. (ALL)
Michael Volle is unsurpassable again as Wotan in David McVicar’s mostly traditional La Scala Die Walküre
Italy Wagner, Die Walküre: Soloists, Teatro alla Scala Orchestra / Simone Young (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Ella Gallieni) from La Scala, Milan, 12.2.2025 and available on demand until 19.2.2025. (JPr)
Desperate passion in Barrie Kosky’s enthralling Zurich Manon Lescaut
Switzerland Puccini, Manon Lescaut: Soloists, Extras Association of Zurich Opera, Zurich Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Zurich / Marco Armiliato (conductor). Zurich Opera, 8.2.2025. (MF)
Deutsche Oper Berlin’s musical performance of Die Frau so strong it almost redeemed Kratzer’s visuals
Germany R. Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Chorus and Orchestra of Deutsche Oper Berlin / Sir Donald Runnicles (conductor). Deutsche Oper Berlin, 8.2.2025. (SRT)
