Germany Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, Meininger Hofkapelle / Killian Farrell (conductor), Staatstheater Meiningen, 27.3.2026. (AB)
Meiningen sees a Lüpertz Das Rheingold in vibrant canvases
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
Celebrations were in order with the Met’s final Madama Butterfly of the season
United States Puccini, Madama Butterfly: Soloists, Metropolitan Opera Chorus & Orchestra / Carlo Rizzi (conductor). Metropolitan Opera, New York, 28.3.2026. (RP)
A Festtage Der Rosenkavalier in Berlin that left me in pieces
Germany Berlin Festtage 2026 [1]: Richard Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier: Soloists, Children’s Choir of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (chorus director: Vinzenz Weissenburger), Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus director: Gerhard Polifka), Staatskapelle Berlin / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 31.3.2026. (SRT)
Arresting visuals and narrative confusion of Tristan at the Met with Lise Davidsen’s transcendental Isolde
United States The Met: Live in HD – Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Gary Halvorson) from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, 21.3.2026 and viewed at Everyman Cinema, Chelmsford, Essex, 24.3.2026. (JPr)
Janáček’s Vixen at the RNCM provided entertainment in spades
United Kingdom Janáček, The Cunning Little Vixen: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the RNCM / Martin Pickard (conductor). Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, 26.3.2026. (MC)
Dear Marc Minkowski: ‘Thank you for Orlando. Please come back to Barcelona soon!’
Spain Handel, Orlando (concert version): Soloists, Musiciens du Louvre / Marc Minkowski (conductor). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 24.3.2026. (JMI)
A musically disappointing Liceu Manon Lescaut salvaged only by a magnificent Asmik Grigorian
Spain Puccini, Manon Lescaut: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Gran Teatre del Liceu / Josep Pons (conductor). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 23.3.2026. (JMI)
In Dublin, an excellent cast brings to life a provocative and insightful production of Rusalka
Ireland Dvořák, Rusalka: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Irish National Opera / Fergus Sheil (conductor). Board Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, 22.3.2026. (RB)
