Spain R. Strauss, Salome: Soloists, Orchestra Comunitat Valenciana / James Gaffigan (conductor). Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofía, Valencia, 9.5.2026. (JMI)
James Gaffigan leads an excellent performance of Richard Strauss’s Salome in Valencia
José M. Irurzun
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)
Francesco Corti, il Pomo d’Oro and soloists offer a magnificent Giulio Cesare at Teatro Real
Spain Handel, Giulio Cesare in Egitto (concert performance): Soloists, il Pomo d’Oro / Francesco Corti (conductor). Teatro Real, Madrid, 21.2.2026. (JMI)
Two fine Barcelona casts in the Liceu’s production of La Gioconda
Spain Ponchielli, La Gioconda: Soloists, Children’s Choir of the Orfeó Català, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra of the Liceu / Daniel Oren (conductor). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 17 & 19.2.2026. (JMI)
Superstar Nadine Sierra is at her very best in a Barcelona recital
Spain Recital – Nadine Sierra & Ludovic Tézier: Véronique Werklé (piano). Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 18.2.2026. (JMI)
Brilliant conducting by Pinchas Steinberg in a Paul Dukas opera at Teatro Real
Spain Paul Dukas, Ariane et Barbe-Bleue: Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro Real / Pinchas Steinberg (conductor). Teatro Real, Madrid, 15.2.2026. (JMI)
Oropesa and Alaimo are outstanding in a Madrid concert performance of Verdi’s I masnadieri
Spain Verdi, I masnadieri (concert version): Chorus (chorus master: José Luis Basso) and Orchestra of Teatro Real / Francesco Lanzillotta (conductor). Teatro Real, Madrid, 14.2.2026. (JMI)
