Opera & Ballet

Collected opera and ballet reviews

Stunning debuts by Byström and Peltokoski in Dutch National Opera’s Tristan und Isolde

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NetherlandsNetherlands Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists and Chorus of the Dutch National Opera, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra / Tarmo Peltokoski (conductor), Amsterdam, 17.2.2026. (DM-D)

[l-t] Malin Byström, (Isolde), Irene Roberts (Brangäne) and Michael Weinius (Tristan) © Monika Rittershaus

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In Hamburg, Olga Neuwirth’s new opera Monster’s Paradise considers how art can deal with the present

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GermanyGermany Olga Neuwirth, Monster’s Paradise (world premiere): Soloists, Chorus, Alsterspatzen (children and youth chorus) of the Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Titus Engel (conductor). Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg, 11.2.2026. (DM-D)

Hamburg State Opera’s Monster’s Paradise © Tanja Dorendorf

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Weill’s Mahagonny is a properly barbed, defiant way for ENO to bid London au revoir

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Weill, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny): Soloists, Chorus, Additional Chorus (director: Matthew Quinn) and Orchestra of the English National Opera / André de Ridder (conductor). London Coliseum, 16.2.2026. (MB)

Danielle de Niese (centre front, Jenny) and Damon Gould (rear, Jenny’s Boy) and Ella Kirkpatrick, Deborah Davison and Claire Mitcher  (Jenny’s Girls) © Tristram Kenton

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Scottish Opera’s The Great Wave is a colourfully musical celebration of Japanese art and culture

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Fujikura, The Great Wave (world premiere): Soloists, Chorus of The Great Wave and Orchestra of Scottish Opera / Stuart Stratford (conductor). Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 12.2.2026. (GT)

Daisuke Ohyama (Katsushika Hokusai) and Julieth Lozano Rolong (Katsushika Ōi) in The Great Wave © Mihaela Bodlovic

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