‘I couldn’t help myself’: Costa-Jackson’s Carmen casts its spell at the cinema

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Bizet, Carmen: Soloists, Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Sesto Quatrini (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Rhodri Huw) from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and viewed at Cineworld, Newport, Isle of Wight, 10.11.2026. (DH) ****

Ginger Costa-Jackson (Carmen) and Russell Thomas (Don José) © Mihaela Bodlovic

Read more

Offenbach’s long lost, neglected opera Barkouf fully justifies its revival by Opera Rara

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Offenbach, Barkouf (concert performance): Soloists, Chorus of English National Opera, RNCM Opera Chorus, The Hallé / Paul Daniel (conductor). Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 4.10.2026. (PH)

Opera Rara performance of Offenbach’s Barkouf at Bridgewater Hall © David Hughes

Read more

Oxford International Opera makes its debut with a banally provincial Tosca

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Oxford International Opera – Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, Oxford International Opera Chorus, Radley College Choristers, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra / Marios Papadopoulos (conductor). New Theatre, Oxford, 24.9.2026. (CR)

Saimir Pirgu (Cavaradossi) and Carmen Giannattasio (Tosca) © Chris Christodoulou

Read more