Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.
Shelley led an unusual mix of English music by Walton, Coleridge-Taylor and Delius, with a poignant addition of two small works by the young Lili Boulanger.
An opportunity to hear one of Respighi's operas in the UK is a real treat; the composer's take on Sleeping Beauty, La bella dormente nel bosco, is an ideal companion to to Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges in a terrific double bill at the Royal College of Music.
Riddle me this: what is the result of combining Andrei Serban's beloved staging of Turandot with Antonio Pappano's first stage outing of the piece? Answer: a thrilling evening.
Sakari Oramo presents a pair of Polish symphonies by Bacewicz and Szymanowski, interrupted by Mozart's Sinfonia concertante, but the evening struggles to take off.
A poisoned rat, sugary girls and just the small matter of a man's soul. Berlioz's légende dramatique deals minor to the major and in the hands of Edward Gardner and a superb cast, the work truly comes to life and brings the composer's unique flair to the fore.
Bieito’s vivid production of Bizet's most famous work is a classic; his attack on toxic masculinityis visceral, made more potent by an excellent leading pair of singers.
Janine Jansen's interpretation of Sibelius' Violin Concerto is a triumph, followed by a powerful reading of Prokofiev's Sixth by Noseda – a thrilling concert to leave the heart racing.
Despite the big Spanish beasts like Rodrigo and de Falla, it is a small work by contemporary Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz that packs the biggest punch in this programme.
Stepping in at short notice, Sousa led the Philharmonia in Brahms' Fourth Symphony, before which Steven Isserlis dazzled in a deeply enjoyable reading of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto.
Massenet, Smyth and Rota are unlikely bedfellows, but in the Guildhall School's Autumn production, a one-act opera by each contributed to a most convincing triple bill, all set around the La Scala Picturehouse in the 1920s.
Vaughan Williams' Ninth Symphony is not yet an audience favourite, but Andrew Manze and the London Philharmonic Orchestra make an admirable case for the work as a masterpiece.
Christof Loy's production of Tosca at ENO replaces Catherine Malfitano’s and, despite being visually attractive, suffers certain muddled ideas. It boasts, however, a strong trio of singers who deliver a committed performance on the production's first night at the Coliseum.
It's taken two years for Jack Furness' new production of Dvořák's greatest opera to reach the Garsington stage, but it is entirely worth the wait, with a breathtaking performance from Natalya Romaniw in the title role.
A visit to London from Nelsons is always an occasion. The first of two programmes dedicated to Strauss demonstrated why the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig is among the best in the world.
