The Bartered Bride at Prague’s National Theatre is a sheer delight

Czech RepublicCzech Republic Smetana, The Bartered Bride (Prodaná nevěsta): Soloists, National Theatre Opera Ballet, Members of the Continuo Theatre, Dancers and Members of the Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir, National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra / David Švec (conductor). National Theatre, Prague, 1.9.2021. (RP)

National Theatre’s The Bartered Bride (previous performances) © Hana Smejkalová

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Komische Oper’s new Œdipe in Berlin is a major achievement

GermanyGermany Enescu, Œdipe: Soloists, Choir of the Komische Oper Berlin, Vocalconsort Berlin (chorus director: David Cavelius), Children’s Choir of the Komische Oper Berlin (chorus director: Dagmar Fiebach), Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin, Ainārs Rubikis (conductor). Komische Oper, Berlin, 29.8.2021. (MB)

Enescu’s Œdipe at Berlin’s Komische Oper (c) Monika Rittershaus

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Warlikowski’s landmark Elektra at the Salzburg Festival returns to celebrate its 100+1 anniversary  

AustriaAustria Salzburg Festival 2021 [2] – Strauss, Elektra: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Franz Welser-Möst (conductor), Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, 28.8.2021 (ALL)

Salzburg Festival’s Elektra: Ausrine Stundyte (Elektra, bottom right) © Bernd Uhlig

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Sebastian Catana triumphs as Verdi’s Falstaff for Berkshire Opera Festival

United StatesUnited States Berkshire Opera Festival – Verdi, Falstaff: Soloists, Berkshire Opera Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Brian Garman (conductor). Berkshire Opera Festival, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, 21.8.2021. (RP)

Sebastian Catana (Falstaff, centre front) © Ken Howard

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The Dunedin Consort in Errollyn Wallen’s original and highly effective take on Dido and Aeneas  

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Edinburgh International Festival 2021 [11] – Errollyn Wallen, Dido’s Ghost (concert staging): Dunedin Consort / John Butt (conductor). Edinburgh Academy Junior School, 21.8.2021. (SRT)

Golda Schultz (Dido/Anna) and Matthew Brook (Aeneas) © Ryan Buchanan

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Glyndebourne’s semi-staging of Wagner’s magnificent Tristan und Isolde worked beautifully

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2021 [2] – Wagner, Tristan und Isolde (semi-staged): Soloists, Glyndebourne Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Robin Ticciati (conductor). Glyndebourne Opera House, Lewes, East Sussex, 17.8.2021. (CC)

Simon O’Neill (Tristan) (c) Bill Cooper

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