Opera

The season gets off to an intense start with Wagner’s colossal Twilight of the Gods. 

A rare work by Massenet in which tragedy and loftiness of soul combine to subtle effect.

Charpentier’s only operatic tragedy, Médée, is the author’s masterwork.

The first opus of the Mozart-Da Ponte trilogy has all the ingredients of a joyful operatic gem which is still very relevant today.

Prokofiev’s The Love of Three Oranges is a celebratory score, blending humour with dynamic lyricism. 

Manon Lescaut or the cruel reality of thwarted love magnified by the lyricism of Puccini.

Vivaldi served up by one of his most stunning exponents, the countertenor Philippe Jaroussky.

One of Handel’s finest librettos for a sublime duo of women torn between passion and power.

Puccini brings all his subtlety to bear on this portrait of a woman who dreams of another country where love is king.

A delicate oriental daydream imagined by Bizet as a young composer.

The Messiah is undoubtedly the most frequently performed oratorio in the entire history of sacred music.

A landmark choral work by Bach performed by the Radio France Orchestra and Choir. 

L'Orfeo, a favola in musica, is considered to be the first operatic masterpiece. 

Two legendary works by Allegri and Rachmaninoff for an a cappella showcase by the Tenebrae Choir.

High-octane arias and all of Rossini’s giocoso spirit inspired by the bright colours of Spain.

The full polyphony of Mozart’s sacred palette.

Rinaldo is renowned for its vocal difficulty, but was probably Handel’s most popular opera during his lifetime. 

A journey along the banks of the Nile and to the Holy Land penned by Handel.

Who better than Maestro Muti to fly the flag for Verdi’s bloodthirsty Attila?

A Carnival that defies categorisation, at the crossroads of several artistic disciplines. 

The youthful work Mitridate already contains the seeds of the musician’s mature creations, both musically and dramatically.

Dido is a major work in the English baroque repertoire.

One of the great landmarks of religious repertoire, the St John Passion is full of towering emotions.

The iconic Romantic work in Gounod’s version.

Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater is the most famous depiction of the sufferings of the sorrowful Virgin in the baroque repertoire.

All the acerbic irony of Kurt Weill served up with flair by Ninna Stemme.

The colossal St Matthew Passion, both in its form and duration, is a landmark in the choral works of the Cantor of Leipzig.

Donizetti’s portrayal of two queens equally thirsty for power and romantic passion.

Bach in all his splendour and choral diversity.

Gluck’s masterpiece interpreted by Berlioz.

This season you can hear two performances of Mitridate just one month apart, Mozart’s version in March and Porpora’s rarer rendition tonight.

All the brio of Vivaldi’s score and the inventiveness of Goldoni’s libretto combined.

Majestic Stravinsky, from the classicism of Œdipus Rex to the legendary Rite.

One of the most finest examples of tragedy in the French style.

A little-known version of the tragic history of the lovers of Verona, to (re)discover with relish. 

A breathtaking vocal head-to-head performed here by two giants of the opera world.

Rameau’s Platée or three hours of pure entertainment in the French tradition.