France Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris / Antonello Manacorda (conductor). Palais Garnier, Paris, 15.11.2025. (MB)
Much to enjoy in Netia Jones’s production of Le nozze di Figaro in Paris
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Zurich’s La forza del destino with Anna Netrebko is the sum of its phenomenal parts
Switzerland Verdi, La forza del destino: Soloists, Zurich Opera Children’s Choir, Zurich Opera Choir and SoprAlti, Extras Association of Zurich Opera, Zurich Opera Orchestra / Gianandrea Noseda (conductor). Zurich Opera, 12.11.2025. (MF)
Musical magic but too many videos in Gothenburg’s Der Freischütz
Sweden Weber, Der Freischütz: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Gothenburg Opera / Francesco Angelico (conductor). Gothhenburg Opera main stage, 14.11.2025. (NS)
Opera North’s Susanna directed by Olivia Fuchs is superb and firmly holds your attention
United Kingdom Handel, Susanna: Soloists, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North / Johanna Soller (conductor). Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, 14.11.2025. (MC)
Despite a disappointing staging, Opera North’s La bohème still proves hard to resist
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North / Catriona Beveridge (conductor). Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, 13.11.2025. (MC)
Arabella, Richard Strauss’s elegy for a vanished Vienna, returns to the Met
United States R. Strauss, Arabella: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Nicholas Carter (conductor). Metropolitan Opera, New York, 10.11.2025. (ES-S)
The immense promise of Grigoryan and De Tommaso radiates out of Zeffirelli’s vintage Met La bohème
United States Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Keri Lynn-Wilson (conductor). Recorded live (directed by Gary Halvorson) at the Met on 8.11.2025 and seen at the Everyman Cinema, Chelmsford, Essex. (JPr)
An exceptional production of Madama Butterfly from Irish National Opera
Ireland Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Irish National Opera / Fergus Sheil (conductor), Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, 8.11.2025. (RB)
