Germany Pavel Haas, Smetana, Schubert: Pavel Haas Quartet (Veronika Jaruskova, 1st violin, Eva Karova, 2nd violin, Pavel Nikl, viola, Peter Jarusek, cello, Dresden Music Festival 2012, Schloss Albrechtsberg, Dresden, Germany 18.5.2012 (MC)
Michael Cookson
Lively Characterful Playing from NDR Symphony Orchestra
Germany Schumann, Brahms: NDR Symphony Orchestra/Thomas Hengelbrock (conductor), Dresden Music Festival 2012, Semper Opera House, Dresden, Germany 17.5.2012 (MC)
A Don Giovanni with a Difference in Dresden
Germany Mozart, Don Giovanni (1787): Soloists, Sächsischer Staatsopernchor, Staatskapelle Dresden/Mihkel Kütson (conductor). Semper Opera House, Dresden, Germany 19.5.2012. (MC)
Sir Mark Elder Champions Elgar’s The Apostles in Manchester
United Kingdom Elgar: Hallé Choir, Hallé Youth Choir, Hallé Orchestra, Sir Mark Elder (conductor), Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 5. 5.2012 (MC)
Ute Lemper Brings Seductive Cabaret Songs to Manchester
United Kingdom Ute Lemper : Last Tango In Berlin, Ute Lemper (vocals), Vana Gierig (piano), Marcelo Nisinman (bandoneón),Royal Northern College of Music Theatre, Manchester –3. 5. 2012 (MC)
Heritage Opera Gives Very Satisfying Account of Rigoletto
United Kingdom Verdi: Rigoletto: Heritage Opera, Jonathan Ellis (pianist/musical director), Preston Minster, 13.4.2012 (MC)
Wonderful Production of Wonderful Town
United Kingdom Leonard Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Connie Fisher (Ruth Sherwood), Singers, Ensemble, Hallé Orchestra/Sir Mark Elder, Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Salford Quays, 4.4.2012 (MC)
St Petersburg Philharmonic Perform Stunning All-Russian Programme
United Kingdom Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich: Dmitri Alexeev (piano), St. Petersburg Philharmonic,Yuri Temirkanov (conductor), Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 1.4.2012 (MC)