United Kingdom Handel, Orlando HWV31: (semi-staged performance) Soloists; English Concert/Harry Bickett (director). Barbican Hall, London 1.3.2016 (CC)
Opera & Ballet
Collected opera and ballet reviews
David McVicar’s Production of Aida Returns to Valencia
Spain Verdi, Aida: Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana / Ramón Tebar (conductor), Palau de Les Arts, Valencia, 2.3.2016. (JMI)

An Outstanding Rape of Lucretia at the Guildhall
United Kingdom Britten, The Rape of Lucretia: Soloists, Orchestra of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Dominic Wheeler (conductor). Silk Street Theatre, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, 24.2.2016. (MB)
Gripping, High Drama in Chelsea Opera Group’s Il Trovatore
United Kingdom Verdi, Il Trovatore: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Chelsea Opera Group, Deborah Miles-Johnson (chorus master), Andrew Greenwood (conductor), Cadogan Hall, London, 28.2.2016. (RP)

Standing Ovations Greet Wermland Opera’s Die tote Stadt
Sweden Korngold, Die tote Stadt:. Soloists, Wermland Opera Orchestra, Johannes Gustavsson (conductor). Wermland Opera, Karlstad, 27 February 2016 (Premiere). (GF)
Strongly Cast Revival of Flying Dutchman in Zurich
Switzerland Wagner, The Flying Dutchman: Soloists, Chorus of the Zurich Opera, Philharmonia Zurich, conductor: Axel Kober, Zurich Opera, Zurich. 28.2.16. (JR)
Bleak, Violent Odyssey at Wilton’s has Moments of Surprising Beauty
United Kingdom Various composers, The Odyssey: Mark Bruce Company, Wilton’s Music Hall, London, 25.2.2016. (J.O’D)

Good Cast and Excellent Period Band in Scottish Opera’s Ariodante
United Kingdom Handel, Ariodante: Soloists, Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Chorus of Ariodante, Nicholas Kraemer (conductor), Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 27.2.2016. (SRT)
