Opera

A striking new Rigoletto from the Royal Opera House, strongly cast and very well conducted [RWe]

A vivid rollercoaster approach, the listener smarting on the front row stalls [MG]

Martinů’s one-act operas heard in persuasive, lively performances [JW]

A long hidden operatic version of Boris Godunov gets its first recording with a respectable cast of young performers [MP]

The complete recorded output of a great but neglected soprano – with a fine bonus [RMo]

An extrovert reading of Theodora but one short of consolation [JW]

Pristine illuminates afresh a vintage account of a perennial favourite, always very listenable but now even better [RMo]

The orchestral playing and the choral contributions are impressive; the final scene is as spine-chilling as ever [GF]

A magnificent full-size portrait of a truly great bel canto artist [GF]

A very good new Tito which marks a new chapter in the development of Nicky Spence as the title character [ST]

These live recordings form a tribute to one of the great voices of the past quarter-century [RMo]

A superlative cast in a crisply modern, but relatively faithful production of a rarely performed opera [MP]

Another impressive release by the Donizetti Opera festival, uncut and on original instruments [RWe]

One new Verdi discovery combined with some previously released material, all neatly performed [MP]

Very interesting content, marred by some sound issues and a jumpy narrative flow [DJB]

Captivating performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s enchanting Christmas opera [CRo]

The original version of Zoroastre, substantially different from the usually performed revision, superbly presented here [RWe]

A delight from start to finish [MC]

An all-round excellent effort to document a forgotten opera that likely won’t be returning to the stage anytime soon [MP]

A glorious sampler heralding a complete project which promises the best sound yet for this greatest of Wagner recordings [RMo]