Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

On Mozart's anniversary (born Salzburg, 27 January 1756; died Vienna, 5 December 1791) we need only consider the phenomenon that gave this composer such musical power for just 35 years, and then his body gave out to leave a vast treasure house of music, some merely decorative, some of penetrating power and beauty.

A selection of articles about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Ensemble. An Almost Physical Impact - Mike Wheeler is impressed with the return of Dinis Sousa and the Royal Northern Sinfonia to play Prokofiev, Mozart and Beethoven

Ensemble. An Expendable Frivolity? - Ron Bierman assesses San Diego Opera's production of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni'

Ensemble. Irresistibly Jolly - Mike Wheeler enjoys Sinfonia Viva's performance of Mozart's 'Gran Partita'

Ensemble. A Marvelous Concert in an Exceptional Setting - Ron Bierman reports on Mozart from the San Diego Symphony and Raphael Payare

Profile. It's Art - Ron Bierman talks to Amerian opera director Kyle Lang

Spotlight. Virtuosic Flair - Gerald Fenech recommends dance music played by Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. 'Daniel Hope's fiddle-playing is just phenomenal ...'

Classical music news. Laughter and Tears - Announcing a new Canadian opera and marking the Gustav Holst anniversary at the UK's Thaxted Festival

Spotlight. Warmth and Charm - Robert Levin plays Mozart concertos, recommended unreservedly by Gerald Fenech. 'These are simple and uncomplicated but wholly alluring Mozartian bonbons.'

Ensemble. Sheer Irrepressible Confidence - Mike Wheeler listens to Mozart and Haydn choral music

Ensemble. Judiciously Balanced - Mike Wheeler listens to a recital by Petr Limonov

Ensemble. Thoroughly Enjoyable - Ron Bierman listens to a concert given by Latonia Moore and J'Nai Bridges, with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and conductor Bruce Stasyna

Ensemble. Magical Effect - Mike Wheeler listens to Mozart, Richard Strauss and Gustav Holst from Sinfonia Viva

Spotlight. Groundbreaking Extremes - Gerald Fenech unreservedly recommends recordings of eighteenth century 'sturm und drang' music. 'Ian Page and his Mozartists deliver performances of the highest artistic standards ...'

CD Spotlight. Exceptional Performances - Gerald Fenech unreservedly recommends Jean-Efflam Bavouzet's recordings of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos 26 and 27. 'This is superb music making from the first to the last note.'

Ensemble. Deep Friendships - Keith Bramich is impressed by Byron Wallis, Bérengère de Gromard and Jeanne Pinget's concert in memory of Malcolm Scott

Classical music news. August 2023 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our August 2023 one hour video newsletter - The Creative Spark

Ensemble. Bold Choices - Mike Wheeler congratulates Nicky Spence and Joseph Middleton on their Buxton Festival programme

Ensemble. Really Nice People - Mozart's 'Il Re Pastore' at the Buxton Festival impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Depth of Feeling and Maturity - Geoff Pearce is impressed by Christian Li's new album for Decca Classics. '... assured technique, passion, agility and grace ...'

CD Spotlight. Wonderful and Charming - Gerald Fenech listens to Isata Kanneh-Mason. '... the soloist's supreme mastery of each piece is unimpeachable throughout.'

CD Spotlight. A Marriage between Drama and Comedy - Gerald Fenech is impressed by recordings of five Mozart operas. '... I have never heard Mozart played with such finesse and beauty.'

CD Spotlight. An Intriguing Snapshot - Keith Bramich listens to piano music by Robert Matthew-Walker. 'Mark Bebbington ... is exemplary here, bringing out all the contrasts and mood changes ...'

Quality or Taste? - Béla Hartmann discusses quality in the Arts

CD Spotlight. Lyrical Beauty - Gerald Fenech strongly recommends recordings of Mozart Piano Concertos Nos 24 and 25. 'Jean-Efflam Bavouzet despatches these two masterpieces with remarkable dexterity, and his playing ... is intense, powerful and spontaneously virtuosic ...'

Profile. Big Roles - Ron Bierman talks to American soprano Michelle Bradley

Ensemble. Visits to the Doctor - Ron Bierman appreciates music by John Adams, Mozart and Rachmaninov from Ingrid Fliter, Edo de Waart and the San Diego Symphony

Ensemble. Captivating Performance - Mike Wheeler listens to Khachaturian, Mozart, Robert Schumann and Sibelius from Jordanian-Palestinian pianist Iyad Sughayer

Ensemble. Bubbling Energy - Mike Wheeler listens to Sarah Beth Briggs

Ensemble. Charm, Skill and Versatility - Ron Bierman listens to Isabel Leonard and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas in festive mood

CD Spotlight. Essentially a Romantic - Gerald Fenech listens to early recordings by Danish conductor John Frandsen. 'Frandsen's conducting has a pleasing flow that creates an aura of peace and serenity, and his flexible tempi and broad phrasing give the music that extra sparkle which is the difference between a good or great performance.'

Ensemble. Paths of Excellence - Giuseppe Pennisi reports via live stream on the Ravenna Festival Mozart/Da Ponte Trilogy

Ensemble. Full of Panache - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about a recent performance of 'Don Giovanni' in Rome

CD Spotlight. Exceptional Performances - Gerald Fenech listens to Mozart from Francesca Dego, Roger Norrington and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 'Francesca Dego is an impassioned virtuoso, and her renditions are not only emotionally alive but also full of beguiling warmth and charm ...'

CD Spotlight. Overwhelmingly Tuneful - Gerald Fenech listens to rare music by Franz von Suppé. '... vibrant playing full of unalloyed joy.'

Ensemble. Major Success for a Young Orchestra - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Mozart, played by the Canova Chamber Orchestra

Ensemble. Becoming One - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Raphael Clarkson, Cecilia McDowall, Beethoven, Bartók, Preetha Narayanan and Mozart to celebrate Sinfonia Viva's fortieth anniversary

CD Spotlight. Dance or Die - Gerald Fenech enjoys a disc exploring the influence of Italy on Austrian and German composers. '... performances full of rhythmic energy, explosive colours and, above all, harmonic ingenuity.'

Ensemble. Eloquently Projected - Mike Wheeler is impressed by the Fitzroy Quartet's performance of music by Haydn, Mozart, James MacMillan, Arvo Pärt and Beethoven

Ensemble. Complete Assurance - Mike Wheeler listens to Mozart, Debussy and Prokofiev, played by Ke Ma

CD Spotlight. Absolutely Riveting - Gerald Fenech listens to Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante and Violin Concerto No 5. '... the Pochekin duo exudes brilliance, virtuosity and an ebullient sense of occasion ...'

Ensemble. An Exciting New Partnership - Mike Wheeler listens to Dinis Sousa and the Royal Northern Sinfonia

Ensemble. A Splendid Achievement - Fareed Curmally listens to the Chamber Orchestra of the Symphony Orchestra of India

CD Spotlight. A Celestial Festival - Gerald Fenech listens to Würzburg's Imperial Hall Mozart concerts. '... performances are nothing short of phenomenal on every level.'

CD Spotlight. Sumptuous, Virtuosic, Wild and Spectacular - Mozart from Salzburg, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... consistently vibrant, sensitive and heartwarming.'

Ensemble. Highly Effective - Chamber music from members of Sinfonia Viva, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Fresh and Appealing - Mike Wheeler listens to the Françaix Wind Trio

CD Spotlight. Magical Equilibrium - Patrick Maxwell listens to Mozart Violin Sonatas played by Oscar Shumsky and Leopold Mittman. '... a striking hold over tone and articulation ...'

Ensemble. Three Days in Ravenna - Giuseppe Pennisi samples Northern Italy's high profile and wide-ranging arts festival

Ensemble. Three Divas - Maria Nockin reviews a streamed recital from Versailles, given by Ailyn Pérez, Nadine Sierra, Isabel Leonard, Vlad Iftinca and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

CD Spotlight. An Exemplary Partnership - Geoff Pearce is impressed by Mozart Violin Sonatas transcribed and played by oboist Olivier Stankiewicz, accompanied by Jonathan Ware. '... the performances here are astounding.'

Ensemble. Easter Concerts - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences two recent performances broadcast on Italian TV

Ensemble. Questionable Stage Direction - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Riccardo Muti's 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro Regio di Torino

CD Spotlight. Fresh and Startlingly Immediate - Forgotten recordings from George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, unreservedly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... the music is dispatched with energetic vigour, which was the hallmark of all Szell's performances.'

Ensemble. Fit for Streaming? - Giuseppe Pennisi investigates various current and recent opera productions

CD Spotlight. Great Entertainment - SOMM Recordings' second volume of film music, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Iain Sutherland and his Promenade players display no want of energy and each track is tackled with effervescence and enthusiasm, making the music sound even more exciting than it was thought to be.'

Profile. From Live Performance to Live Streaming - Anett Fodor continues her series of interviews with some of our era's most interesting artists, and today she talks to British pianist Leon McCawley about some of the new challenges to artistic life

Ensemble. A Survival Strategy - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about the current music scene in Italy, touching on recent notable performances

Ensemble. Soft Romanticism - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Schubert, Wagner and Mozart from Daniele Gatti and the Mozart Orchestra at the Ravello Festival

Ensemble. The Belcanto Concerts - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his last report from this year's Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro

Classical music news. Obituary - Leon Fleisher (1928-2020)

Ensemble. Artificially Injected? - Mozart from Omer Meir Wellber and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with 'a number of surprises' as part of the Buxton International Festival Digital 2020 Season, experienced by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Full of Joy - Patrick Maxwell celebrates Peter Donohoe's Mozart Piano Sonatas. '... played with a precise and enjoyable dexterity and with admirable clarity; the collection as a whole deserves to be celebrated.'

Ensemble. A Miracle in Ravenna - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from a modified Ravenna Festival

Drastically Revised - Giuseppe Pennisi looks at the detail of the replanned 2020 Salzburg Festival

CD Spotlight. Great Character - Lucas Ball listens to Riccardo Minasi's interpretations of late Mozart symphonies. 'Minasi's control is great here.'

Ensemble. Familiar Pieces Heard Afresh - Mike Wheeler has some thoughtful comments on a performance by Tasmin Little, Duncan Riddell, Thierry Fischer and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Ensemble. Relaxed and Exuberant - Mike Wheeler listens to Cavendish Winds playing Mozart, Danzi, Debussy, Arnold, Vaughan Williams, Holst, Bozza, Ligeti and Gershwin

Ensemble. A Remarkable Partnership - Mike Wheeler listens to music for violin and piano by Mozart, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski/Gounod and Debussy/Heifetz from Emmanuel Bach and Jennifer Hughes

Ensemble. A Wide Expressive Range - Mike Wheeler listens to piano duets from Dina Duisen and Martin James Bartlett

Ensemble. Finely Balanced - Mozart, Shostakovich and Beethoven, played by the Artesian String Quartet, and heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Well-chosen Contrasts - Sinfonia Viva is joined by Nottingham Harmonic Choir and vocal soloists for an evening of Sibelius, Mozart, Vasks and Salonen, impressing Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Affectionate Complicity and Tensions - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Mozart's 'Idomeneo' in Rome

Ensemble. Satisfyingly Unexpected - Mike Wheeler listens to Grieg, Clara Schumann, Kodály and Mozart from Frank Zielhorst and Sinfonia Viva

Piquant Ensemble. Contrasts - A cello and violin recital by Katherine Jenkinson and Ning Kam, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Take A Sabbatical - Giuseppe Pennisi has some advice for Graham Vick, based on the latter's latest production of 'Don Giovanni'

Ensemble. A Local Heroine/Antiheroine - Mike Wheeler experiences the pasticcio 'Georgiana' at the Buxton Festival

Fun and Frolics - Mozart, Beethoven, Grieg and Mahler from Benjamin Grosvenor, the Hallé Orchestra and Gergely Madaras, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. On the High and Open Sea - Giuseppe Pennisi samples Italy's 2019 Ravenna Summer Festival

Ensemble. Venus Unwrapped - Keith Bramich is impressed by Noriko Ogawa, Kenneth Woods and the strings of the English Symphony Orchestra

Ensemble. Slavic Melancholy - Chris Swann, the strings of Sinfonia Viva and Frank Zielhorst perform Mozart, Arensky, Finzi and Tchaikovsky in a new performance space, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Fully Engaged - Richard Dacey steps down from his post as musical director of Derby Choral Union with a concert of Mozart, Vivaldi and Beethoven, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Easter Mozart - Ton Koopman conducts the Mass in C and the Jupiter Symphony, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. An Ambitious Conceit - Mike Wheeler is impressed by James Brining's production of Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'

Ensemble. Imaginative Freshness - Mike Wheeler listens to Beethoven, Mozart and Rachmaninov from Sasha Grynyuk

Ensemble. Sprightly, Polished and Gleaming - Mike Wheeler listens to Mozart, Malcolm Arnold and Lennox Berkeley from Alec Frank-Gemmill and Sinfonia Viva, conducted by Frank Zielhorst

Ensemble. An Endurance Test - Rossini, Monti, J S Bach, Mozart, Handel, Vaughan Williams and Dave Maslanka from the Syzygy Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Vienna at Santa Cecilia - Manfred Honeck conducts, and Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience

Music in Kentish Town - Endre Anaru looks forward to an orchestral concert in London later this week featuring the first performance of a new Canadian violin concerto

Ensemble. The Homely and the Cosmic - Two concerts from Nicholas Kok and Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Certain Affinity - Extraordinary violin sonatas, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Auerbach and Pierce give scintillating performances throughout ...'

Ensemble. A Poor Staging - Graham Vick's 'The Marriage of Figaro' in Rome, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Tears Behind the Laughter - San Diego Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', reviewed by Ron Bierman

Profile. The Comic / Serious Mix - Ron Bierman talks to British opera director Stephen Lawless, whose 'Marriage of Figaro' is currently at San Diego Opera

Ensemble. A Magical Zauberflöte - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma's autumn season

CD Spotlight. Subtlety in Detail - Leslie Tung plays Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn, impressing Anett Fodor. '... a rare and unusual musical find.'

Ensemble. War and Peace - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from the Sagra Musicale Umbra Festival

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Played - Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Cello Concerto, heard by Alice McVeigh. 'Brinton maintains a clear, sonorous and resonant sound even in the highest register, though he could perhaps have been willing to take a few more risks.'

Ensemble. Gábor Káli - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on the Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award

Ensemble. Deutsche Oper - Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte' at the Salzburg Summer Festival, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Mozart Changes - Carleton Etherington's organ recital at Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Potent Realisation - Mozart's 'Idomeneo' at the Buxton Festival, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Daily Puccini - Malcolm Miller enjoys an opera lollipop recital in the city of the composer's birth

Ensemble. Highly Promising Talent - Katie Gilbert, Esther Beard and Edward Leung at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Stunningly Performed - Trios by Schumann, Smit, Mozart and Françaix, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'Music is in fine hands for the future with young artists of this calibre.'

Ensemble. Engagingly Springy - The European Union Chamber Orchestra in Nottingham impresses Mike Wheeler

Book review. An Elegant Publication - Mozart's Musical Diary, 1784-1791, read by Daniel Schorno

Ensemble. Hugely Promising - Frank Zielhorst steps in as Principal Conductor of Sinfonia Viva, impressing Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Panto Flavour - Alessandro Talevi's time-travelling, Punch-and-Judy, rock-'n'-roll production of 'Don Giovanni' for Opera North has been back on the road. Mike Wheeler re-visited it in Nottingham

Ensemble. Sex and Modernism - A triptych of modern ballets, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Calm Authority - A recital by young British-Turkish pianist Lara Melda impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Tender and Charming - Lisa Batiashvili plays Prokofiev, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Glorious New Directions - Roderic Dunnett looks ahead to 2018 and celebrates more of the best English provincial opera from 2017, at Garsington, Longborough and Winslow Hall

Ensemble. Engaging Accounts - A Celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of Derby Cathedral Girls' Choir, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Centres of Excellence - Roderic Dunnett looks back to the 2017 Three Choirs Festival at Worcester, and forward to 2018 in Hereford

Ensemble. Early Opera in the English Provinces - Roderic Dunnett applauds some of this year's successes and glances ahead to 2018

Engrossing Results - Hungarian pianist Daniel Lebhardt plays Schubert, Mozart and Rachmaninov, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Modernizing Monteverdi and Mozart - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences two very different performances

Ensemble. A Mini 'Magic Flute' - Giuseppe Pennisi attends one of Stefano Belisari's last performances as Elio e le Storie Tese, in one of Mozart's most mysterious and ambiguous operas

Ensemble. Expressive Presence - Mendelssohn, Mozart, Judith Weir and Beethoven from Derby Concert Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Colorful Delights - Mozart's 'The Magic Flute', live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Too Many Notes? - Mike Wheeler listens to Dohnányi, Mozart and Brahms from the Rogeri Ensemble

Ensemble. Real Emotions - Two concerts in Salzburg impress Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Brilliantly Performed - Mozart chamber music, highly recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'One cannot fault the playing on this lovely disc ...'

Ensemble. On the Verge of Greatness - Mozart's 'Lucio Silla' at Buxton, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Anything and Everything - Mainstreet Brass, enjoyed by the late Howard Smith. 'An exhilirating brass ensemble in a theatrical range of moods; you really can't go wrong.'

Ensemble. A Mirror of Time - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a trendy concert series in Rome

Ensemble. Zip and Enthusiasm - Members of the Kanneh-Mason family playing at the Belper Arts Festival, heard by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Exhilarating Mozart - 'La Finta Giardiniera' from Opéra de Lille, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. '... a humdinger of a version, passionately sung and acted and superbly conducted by Emmanuelle Haim.'

Ensemble. Something Rich and Strange - Mozart, Shostakovich and Beethoven from the Coull Quartet impress Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Rare Treat - Mozart, Duncan Ward and Poulenc wind chamber music, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Unexpectedly Long - Mozart's 'Idomeneo' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Great Stage Presence - Lucas Ball reviews a production that emphasises The Magic Flute's fun elements

Ensemble. Most Impressive - Mozart, Enescu, Stravinsky and Brahms from Savitri Grier and Richard Uttley, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Thrilling Ride - Mozart, Beethoven and Sibelius from Angela Hewitt, Yutaka Sado and the Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. An Attractive Sound-world - Mike Wheeler listens to the Thorne Trio

Ensemble. A Controversial Così - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

CD Spotlight. Beyond Words - Rachel Brown's Revolutionary Flute Quartets, highly recommended by Alice McVeigh. 'The double-CD is worth buying for this slice of Gluck alone.'

Ensemble. Committed Performance - Mozart from Derby Choral Union, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Standing Throughout - Sinfonia Viva and Duncan Ward in Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Fine Rendition - 'Don Giovanni' live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Light from on High - Giuseppe Pennisi's first of two reports from the Sagra Musicale Umbra

Ensemble. The Treasured Crown - Roderic Dunnett reports in depth on last month's Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester

Ensemble. Eros and Philosophy - Giuseppe Pennisi's last report from this year's Salzburg Festival features a new production of Mozart's 'Così fan tutte'

Ensemble. A Great Success - Spiritual and religious music at the Salzburg Festival, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Genuine Profundity - Annie Fischer plays Mozart and Bartók, appreciated by Béla Hartmann. 'Her phrasing makes even the most complex and profound passages instantly understandable ...'

Ensemble. Hugely Rewarding - Mozart's 'Idomeneo' at Garsington Opera impresses Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. A Polished Team - Heritage Opera's 'Don Giovanni', reviewed by Roderic Dunnett

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Done - Mozart violin concerti, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Kraggerud is most ably supported by the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra ...'

Ensemble. Mixed Feelings - Mozart's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Priceless Music-making - The horn playing of Dennis Brain, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... a sheer delight ...'

CD Spotlight. Unalloyed Pleasure - Maria João Pires plays Mozart, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... an exactitude and classical stylishness that beggars criticism ...'

Ensemble. First 'Last Sonatas' - The first of three András Schiff recitals at London's Wigmore Hall whets Malcolm Miller's appetite

Ensemble. Unassuming Radiance - Mike Wheeler makes special mention of soprano Lisa Cassidy in Derby Bach Choir's Michael Haydn, Mozart and Joseph Haydn

Ensemble. Anti-romantic Opera - Opera North's 'Così fan tutte', recommended by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Expertly Sculpted - James Brawn's time traveller recital delights Andrew Schartmann. 'Each time a passage repeats ... Brawn shows us something new.'

Dancing Energy - Haydn, Mozart and Paul Patterson from Adam Mackenzie, Emily Pailthorpe and Sinfonia Viva impress Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Totally Cohesive - Mozart and Brahms clarinet quintets, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... a gem of a disc ...'

Ensemble. Unique Enchantment - Mozart's Magic Flute at San Francisco Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Luxuriant Orchestration - Mozart's 'Idomeneo', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Crossover Soprano - A recital by Rebecca Newman, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'The singer's voice is firm with secure intonation ...'

Musical Prowess - Robert Anderson's 'Opera Nights and Nightmares', read by Gerald Fenech

Ensemble. Woman for all Seasons - Gerald Fenech returns to Festival Maribor in Slovenia

Ensemble. Intense and Moving - Opera at the Salzburg Summer Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Vocal Fireworks - Mozart's 'La Finta Giardiniera' from Santa Fe delights Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Cleverly Selected - Eighteenth century lied, recommended by the late Howard Smith. '... lucid, expressive variety.'

Ensemble. Poise and Elegance - Tchaikovsky and Mozart from the English Chamber Orchestra, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Refreshingly Inventive - A recital by Soraya Mafi and Ian Tindale captivates Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Nicely Varied - Beethoven, Mozart, Crusell, Françaix and Schubert from members of Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Posthumous Debut - Giorgio Strehler's 'Marriage of Figaro' finally reaches Rome, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A 3D Fairytale - Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' from Bologna impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Two Stages - Manfred Honeck conducts Mozart and Mahler, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Well Realized - Varda Kotler and Israel Kastoriano, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... partnership and sensitivity ...'

Ensemble. Generally Confident - Handel, Haydn and Mozart from Derby Choral Union and the Heart of England Chamber Orchestra, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Treasurable Renditions - Sokolov at Salzburg, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... Sokolov's playing is mesmerizing throughout ...'

Ensemble. A Figaro to Treasure - Opera North's Mozart impresses Mike Wheeler

Commitment and Insight - Ingrid Jacoby plays Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Musorgsky, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Viscerally Exciting - Mendelssohn, Pärt, Mozart and Beethoven from Samuel Jacobs, Sinfonia Viva and Duncan Ward, all impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Women are Stronger - Mozart's 'Lucio Silla' at La Scala, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Vigour and Freshness - Clarinettist Julian Bliss joins Andrew Gourlay and Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Modest Forces? - Keith Bramich listens to the first performance by a young conductor and his new orchestra

Ensemble. A Pleasant Change - Derby Choral Union's Christmas Concert, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Poise and Freshness - Haydn, Mozart and Janácek from the Jubilee String Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. An Involving Account - A visit from Die Marienkantorei, Osnabrück, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Great Privilege - Mozart's Marriage of Figaro live in HD from the New York Met, experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Sex and Violence - Graham Vick's 'Don Giovanni', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Tolerance and Enlightenment - 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' at Sagra Musicale Umbra enthralls Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Thoroughly Delightful - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe Opera and experiences all of their 2014 productions

Sharply Focused - John Scott at the organ of Derby Cathedral delights Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Delicate Sensitivity - The Innovation Chamber Ensemble at Buxton, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Celebratory and Ambiguous - Mozart, Judith Weir and Ravel from the Lawson Trio at Buxton, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Existential Tragedy - A new Italian production of Don Giovanni, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Truly Exquisite - Mozart's Così fan tutte, live in high definition from New York, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Deeply Gratifying - The first performance of Ian Venables' new clarinet quintet, heard by Roderic Dunnett

Nicely Pointed - A piano recital by Robert Thompson, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Beautifully Presented - The Heron Piano Quartet, recommended by Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Expressive Nuances - Holst, Mozart and Sibelius from Tasmin Little and the European Union Chamber Orchestra, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Deep Expression - Mozart, Mendelssohn and Elgar from the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey

CD Spotlight. Collaborative Effect - Martha Argerich and friends in Lugano, heard by Barbara Sealock. 'Among the recorded gems of 2013 ...'

Ensemble. Alive and Well - Comic operas in Berlin, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

DVD Spotlight. Playful Fantasy - 'Die Zauberflöte' from Bregenz, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... sparkling cast ...'

Ensemble. Delicious Buzzing - A new departure for Derby's Assembly Rooms, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Real Verve - Markus Stenz conducts the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Buzzy Textures - Clare Hammond plays in Nottingham, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Film Noir - 'The Magic Flute' from Berlin's Komische Oper, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Suave and Polished - Mike Wheeler discovers the Heath Quartet

Ensemble. Mad Stampede - Viennese classics from the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Maximum Expressive Contrast - Henning Kraggerud and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra with Stéphane Denève, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Generous Weekend - The third William Alwyn Festival, attended by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Highest Accolades - Gerald Fenech enjoys his visit to Festival Maribor in Slovenia

Ensemble. New Directions - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Mozart, Verdi and Wagner operas from Salzburg's summer festival

Ensemble. Exhilarating Music - Verdi, Rossini, Offenbach, Mozart and Theodore Morrison at Santa Fe Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Inspiration and Confidence - Mozart's Magic Flute at Nevill Holt Opera impresses Roderic Dunnett

Admirable Clarity - Andrew Kirk at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Enjoyably Daft - Mike Wheeler experiences Mozart's 'La Finta Giardiniera' at Buxton

Authentic Portrayals - 'Aloha, Mozart' by Waimea Williams, read by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Nostalgic and Enthralling - A Joan Sutherland portrait, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a fitting tribute to the singing legend from Australia ...'

Ensemble. Major Joys - Los Angeles Philharmonic's 'The Marriage of Figaro' delights Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Beautifully Captured - Mike Wheeler listens to the Mavron Quartet

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part IV: Hybrid Themes

Ensemble. Totally Authentic - 'The Marriage of Figaro' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part II: The Period

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part I: The Sentence

Rich Colours - Mike Wheeler listens to the Eblana String Trio and pianist Andrew Dunlop

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The 'Physics' of Music. On Musical Momentum and its Compositional Implications

Ensemble. A Special Chemistry - Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. Monumental Effect - Three companies combine forces, experienced by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Dazzling Tracks - Dinu Lipatti, heard by Joanne Chang. '... skillfully and brilliantly carried out.'

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - A Change of Face. 'Character Development' in Mozart's Symphony in G minor, K 183

Ensemble. Deeply Sensitive - Mike Wheeler listens to the European Union Chamber Orchestra

Ensemble. Sophisticated Musical Evenings - The legacy of Giacinto Scelsi twenty-five years on, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Much Playfulness - Beethoven cello sonatas and variations, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Fournier and Gulda give Handel a rousing send-off ...'

Ensemble. Most Versatile - Mozart's 'La Clemenza di Tito' live in HD, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Elements of Panto - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' entertains Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Serene Flow - Mozart, Saint-Saëns and Dvorák from the Aquinas Piano Trio, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Spirited Playing - Matthew Coorey conducts Sinfonia Viva, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Most Impressive - Bill Newman listens to Swiss-Italian pianist Francesco Piemontesi

Great Delicacy - Jenny Lin at Notttingham's Royal Concert Hall, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Both Lyrical and Heart-wrenching - Gregory Moomjy experiences a Divaria Productions concert

Ensemble. Reaching Out - Mendelssohn, Mozart, Berlioz and Ravel from James Feddeck and the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. New Light - Mozart's Requiem from the Sitwell Singers impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Virile and Robust - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' at Los Angeles Opera, recommended by Maria Nockin

Pianistic Colour - Jong-Gyung Park at Derby Chamber Music impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Beauty and Power - Australian soprano Nance Grant, heard by Howard Smith. '... an exceptional voice seldom heard beyond local shores.'

Ensemble. A Relaxed Evening - Bill Newman attends a 'family sing-song' event in London

Ensemble. Angels and Demons - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Sagra Musicale Umbra 2012

CD Spotlight. Seldom Bridged - Tom Collier plays vibraphone and marimba, highly recommended by Howard Smith. '... hear classics from a new, fascinating standpoint ...'

Ensemble. Innovative Dramaturgy - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the annual Munich Opera Festival

Ensemble. Passion and Religion - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the 2012 Tyrol Festival for new productions of 'Lohengrin' and 'Tosca'

CD Spotlight. An Outstanding Disc - Three Mozart piano concertos, heard by Robert Anderson. '... a magnificent outpouring of melody.'

Ensemble. A Production to be Proud Of - Mozart's 'Il Re Pastore' at New College Oxford, reviewed by Alice McVeigh

Seamless Precision - Mike Wheeler listens to Daniel Moult at the organ of Derby Cathedral

Ensemble. Enchanting Music - The Castalian Quartet and friends, heard by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. Thoroughly Playful - Mozart piano concertos and a sonata, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. 'That these recordings are more than fifty years old only adds to their lustre.'

Ensemble. Total Commitment - Alexander Liebreich conducts the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Great Conviction - Mendelssohn, Mozart and Vivaldi from Derby Choral Union, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Gleaming Sonorities - Handel, Haydn, Delius and Mozart from the European Union Chamber Orchestra impress Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Superb Playing - Bill Newman listens to a selection of instrumental chamber music in London

Ensemble. Fairytale Atmosphere - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on the opening night of 'Die Zauberflöte' in Rome

Ensemble. Sensuous Depths - A selection of orchestral concerts at London's Royal Festival Hall, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. A Memorable Occasion - Redwood, Shostakovich, Janácek and Mozart from André de Ridder and Sinfonia Viva, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Remarkable Performance - Eisler, Gershwin, Mozart, Poulenc, Schumann and Weill from Katie Bray and William Vann, heard by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Dignity and Impudence - A recital on Exeter Cathedral's organ, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. '... Millington on fine form ...'

Ensemble. Brilliant in the Extreme - Mozart and Brahms from the Razumovsky Ensemble, enjoyed by Bill Newman

Dramatic Excitement - Christian Blackshaw has begun his Mozart piano sonata Marathon in London, and Bill Newman was in the audience

CD Spotlight. Stylish Playing - Some recommended commercial recordings, heard by Bill Newman. 'How dare they!'

Ensemble. 2011 Specials - A roundup of London concerts enjoyed by Bill Newman, featuring recitals by Alice Sara Ott, the Emerson Quartet, Martin Fröst and Roland Pontinen, the Orchestra of the Polish EU Presidency, Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä and Roope Grondahl, and Martino Tirimo's Rosamunde Trio

DVD Spotlight. Highly Intriguing - The Vienna Boys Choir in the Far East, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. '... a refreshingly different portrait of this hugely versatile group ...'

Ensemble. An Immoralist Black Comedy - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a controversial new production of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' which opened La Scala's 2011-12 season in Milan

Ensemble. Airy Textures - The Piatti String Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Wonderful Music - Works by Julian Anderson, Mozart and Tchaikovsky performed by Janine Jansen, Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, enjoyed by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Joyous Music-making - Cyprien Katsaris plays Mozart, heard by Robert Anderson. '... imbued with the very spirit of Mozart's Salzburg ...'

Ensemble. Fascinatingly Varied - The Eblana String Trio and David Curington at Derby Chamber Music, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Sharply Etched - Mozart and Shostakovich from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Saturday Delight - 'Don Giovanni' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Bustling Energy - A mainly classical programme from Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Beyond Criticism - Paul Galbraith plays Mozart, Bach and Britten, recommended by Howard Smith. '... palpable, near-orchestral grandeur.'

Ensemble. Sheer Triumph - Chicago's Music of the Baroque season opens with Beethoven and Mozart, reviewed by Barbara Sealock

Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Los Angeles Opera's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Turning Gravity into Grace - Malcolm Troup has three encounters with the sublime

Persuasive Simplicity - Serghei Constantinov at Steinway Hall in London, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. An Invaluable Experience - 'Ariadne auf Naxos' in New York, appreciated by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. A Real Triumph - The 2011 Sferisterio Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

DVD Spotlight. A Needless Diversion - 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The applause of the Amsterdam audience is notably muted.'

DVD Spotlight. A Common Objective - The Ramallah Concert, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... a tremendous, emotional, not-to-be-missed experience.'

Great Energy - Timothy Byram-Wigfield plays the organ at Derby Cathedral and impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. The Quality of Mercy - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the 2011 Aix-en-Provence Festival and reports on four of the six operas

Ensemble. Achingly Beautiful - Vivaldi's 'La verità in cimento' at Garsington Opera, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett

A Stunning Voice - A recital by Vuyani Mlinde impresses Robert Hugill

New Talent - Hannah Yip's Derby Cathedral recital impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Artistic Freedom - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the sophisticated music festival in a Tuscan mountain convent and stays for the full three days

Ensemble. Vitally Sung - Heritage Opera's 'Così fan tutte' impresses Roderic Dunnett

CD Spotlight. A Eupeptic Vitality - Mozart and Michael Haydn for violin and viola, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Maya Magub makes a very effective protagonist ...'

Ensemble. Rapturous Beauty - Richard Strauss's 'Capriccio', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Vibrant Music - Mendelssohn Trio and Sonatas, heard by Robert Anderson. '... ready skill and deft handling ...'

CD Spotlight. A Sympathetic Hand - Jane Glover accompanies Felicity Lott's Mozart, heard by Robert Anderson. '... joyous music-making.'

Ensemble. Meticulously Handled - The Rivoli String Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Great Delicacy - Mike Wheeler listens to the Hallé Orchestra in Liszt, Schumann and Brahms

Ensemble. Rewarding Performances - Arizona Opera's 'The Abduction from the Seraglio', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Too Clever by Half - A very British version of Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' returns to Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. To Suit the Voice - Gregory Moomjy takes a sneak peek at the divas and divos of tomorrow, as heard at New York Metropolitan Opera's National Council auditions

Ensemble. A Tad More Sensual - Simon Keenlyside sings Don Giovanni with the Cleveland Orchestra, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Different Couples - English Touring Opera's 'La Clemenza di Tito', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Inside the Music - Mike Wheeler listens to the Czech National Symphony Orchestra

Ensemble. Happy Melodies - Rossini's 'Il Turco in Italia' delights Maria Nockin

Ask Alice - Correspondence between film maker Phil Grabsky and classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - In search of Beethoven and stress-free jobs, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Instinctive Artistry - Jill Crossland plays Mozart and Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... a distinctive, beautifully considered performance.'

Ensemble. Full of Delights - Nicola Benedetti and the European Union Chamber Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ask Alice - An overdose of Mozart and crazy fitness machines, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Beautifully Sung - An evening with Juan-Diego Flórez, by Robert Hugill

Ask Alice - The trouble with banks, by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Many Levels - Chamber music by Mozart and Smetana, heard by Howard Smith. '... judged to perfection ...'

CD Spotlight. Finely Displayed - Alfred Brendel plays Liszt, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'Michael Gielen backs Brendel's eloquence with unobtrusive skill.'

Boundless Energy - Warren Mailley-Smith, heard by Mary Isaac

CD Spotlight. Aristocratic in Inspiration - Matthew Cameron plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... dignity and eloquence.'

Ensemble. Cultural Delights - Gerald Fenech visits Slovenia for Festival Maribor

Passport to Heaven - Bill Newman listens to the Russian pianist Nelly Akopian-Tamarina

CD Spotlight. Expressive Power - Vivaldi oboe concertos, heard by Robert Anderson. '... faultlessly delivered ...'

Ensemble. Truly Miraculous - The Emerson Quartet, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Vibrant Performance - Two concerts by the Symphony of the Americas, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Positively Enchanting - Phoenix Opera's 'The Magic Flute', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Lively and Fluent - 'Orpheus in the Underworld' at London's Royal College of Music, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Brilliantly Dispatched - Ian McEwan and Michael Berkeley's 'For You', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Delightfully Entertaining - Mozart, Schubert and Weill, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Generous Tonal Warmth - Derby Choral Union's Mozart Requiem, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Convincingly Pitched - Britten's 'The Turn of the Screw', heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - Johannes Goritzki and Julian Jacobson at London's Royal College of Music, heard by Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Striking Musicianship - Elena Kuschnerova plays Prokofiev, heard by Howard Smith. '... sparkling, lyrical and appropriately balletic ...'

Ask Alice - Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh raves about Barclaycard and the Absolute Zero Viola Quartet, and comments on pillow fighting in Eastbourne

A Golden Treasury - Havergal Brian on European and American music, read by Patric Standford

Ensemble. A Memorable Night - The Israel Camerata Orchestra Jerusalem, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Fine Performances - Mike Wheeler listens to James Rippingale, Jonathan Trout and the Derby Concert Orchestra

A Rich Resource - Teresa Verde explains how Theodore Deacon makes opera come alive

CD Spotlight. High Spirits - Music by Dohnányi, heard by Howard Smith. '... the Buffalonians ... make their virtuosity seem almost effortless ...'

Ensemble. An Epic Opera - Rossini's 'William Tell', from Rome to the BBC Proms, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Heroes Step Up in Crisis - The Muti era lays claim to Chicago, by Barbara Sealock

Profile. Two Americans in Paris - Maria Nockin talks to Vivica Genaux and Lawrence Brownlee

Ensemble. Superb from the word 'go' - Donizetti's last Tudor Queen returns to Rome, and Carmela Remigio enchants Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Beautifully Phrased - Los Angeles Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', welcomed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Unmitigated Fun - Covent Garden at the cinema, experienced by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Firstrate Ensemble - Accompanied harpsichord sonatas by Charles Avison, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... both brilliant and sensitive ...'

Profile. With Perfection in Mind - Bill Newman talks to all four members of the Wihan Quartet

CD Spotlight. Clear Tonal Focus - Music for cello and piano by Krzysztof Meyer, recommended by Patric Standford. '... fine playing ...'

CD Spotlight. Ready to Oblige - Music by Beethoven?, reviewed favourably by Robert Anderson. '... the pleasure of unfamiliar music and fine performances.'

Ensemble. Orchestral Firepower - Lawrence Budmen sends his final report from the 2010 Tanglewood Festival

Ensemble. Spirited Performances - Santa Fe Opera's 'The Magic Flute' impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Truly Fascinating - A Santa Fe Opera digest, including the recent Kaye Edition of 'The Tales of Hoffmann', by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010

CD Spotlight. An Impressive Performance - Michael Ludwig plays music by John Corigliano, heard by Patric Standford. '... should not fail to entertain ...'

Ensemble. A Total Delight - The Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, heard by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Remarkable Event - Paul Sarcich visits the West Cork Chamber Music Festival

Ensemble. Real Poise - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ask Alice - On the three weaknesses of Charles Mackerras, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Sensitively Played - A recital by Stephen Disley, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Nearly a Male Lulu - 'Don Giovanni' in Aix-en-Provence, a black comedy of sex and loneliness, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Puzzling and Frustrating - Mozart's 'Idomeneo' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Flowers of Light - Puccini's 'I crisantemi' as a pedagogical tool for piano performance majors, by Heidi Lowy

Ensemble. Darkness to Light - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Ravenna Festival

Profile. The State of the Art - Maria Nockin talks to soprano Christine Brewer

CD Spotlight. Subtle and Organic - Music by John Luther Adams, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... vast silent landscapes ...'

Ensemble. Sovereign Quality - Aidan Lang's 'The Marriage of Figaro', recommended by Howard Smith

CD Spotlight. A Symbol of Gratitude? - Mozart Symphonies 39 and 40, heard by Robert Anderson. '... vitality and alertness ...'

Ensemble. Under the Tuscan Sun - Giuseppe Pennisi attends the beginning of the Tiroler Festspiele 2010

Ensemble. A Cross Section - Bill Newman comments on some recent concerts at London's Wigmore Hall

Ask Alice - 'The Marriage of Figaro' in Washington DC, reviewed by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Hilariously Funny - Arizona Opera's 'The Barber of Seville', appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Fascinating Afternoon - Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' live from Barcelona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin in Arizona

Ensemble. A World-class Orchestra - Mike Wheeler listens to the Bergen Philharmonic

CD Spotlight. Lyrical Powers - Orchestral music by Louis Spohr, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Howard Shelley and the Swiss orchestra clearly relish this unusual assignment.'

Ensemble. Fine Tone - Derby Grammar School and High School Choral Society, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Human Nature - A staged 'Così fan tutte' at Severance Hall in Cleveland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Shining Beauty - The current Italian season of Mozart's 'Idomeneo', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ask Alice - On the benefits of singing, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Beautifully Expressive - The Isolani Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Fresh Repertoire - Austin Moorhead's guitar recital, heard by Patric Standford. '... a programme to which it is well worth giving time.'

Ensemble. Splendidly Imaginative - Julian Jacobson and Meng Yang Pan celebrate Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, enjoyed by Mary Isaac

Ensemble. Crisp and Energetic - Ilya Gringolts, Sinfonia Viva and André de Ridder, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Lovely Accounts - Chamber music by Robert Schumann, heard by Howard Smith. '... the performances suffer from a worrying anemia ...'

CD Spotlight. An Exceptional Recording - Mozart's 'Idomeneo', treasured by Patric Standford. '... beautifully paced and crafted ...'

Ensemble. A New Dimension - Giuseppe Pennisi reports that chamber opera is alive and well

Ensemble. Shift of Perspective - The Stanford Quartet plays Mozart, Shostakovich, Borodin and Piazzolla, welcomed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Invigorating Performance - Sinfonia Viva plays Judith Weir, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Discoveries Ahead - Malcolm Miller samples 'The World of Jewish Music' in London

Ask Alice - The most beautiful sound in the world, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Particularly Effective - Mozart's 'Così fan tutte', heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Style and Drama - Gluck's 'Alceste', heard by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Crystalline Lightness - A Symphony of the Americas concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Lively and Spirited - A performance by Haydn Trio Eisenstadt, heard by Rebecca Schmid

CD Spotlight. A Superb Work - Thomas Arne's 'Artaxerxes', heard by Robert Anderson. 'Roy Goodman and his team give their all ...'

CD Spotlight. Irresistible Enjoyment - Music by Mozart and Mendelssohn, heard by Howard Smith. '... a truly idiomatic performance ...'

Ensemble. A Fine Rendition - 'Così fan tutte' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Dark and Serious - Robert Hugill was at English Touring Opera's 'Tolomeo'

DVD Spotlight. Intensity and Concentration - Kurt Masur conducts Richard Strauss, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... beautifully and confidently performed ...'

Ensemble. Brisk Ebullience - Lawrence Budmen sends a second report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival

CD Spotlight. Impeccable Technique - Beethoven's middle string quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The outer movements induce some grinding of teeth.'

Arts and the Colour of Politics - Béla Hartmann muses on growing social equality and democratization

CD Spotlight. Mozart across Niagara - Peter Hatch's 'Wiki Mozart' delights Jennifer Paull. '... an intoxicating cocktail.'

Ensemble. Expertly Structured - Mike Wheeler was at a song recital by Richard Roddis and Philip Robinson

CD Spotlight. Utterly Absorbing - A sampler from Cedille Records, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... top quality standards.'

Ensemble. Powerful Stuff - Howard Smith was at the last Vector Wellington Orchestra programme engineered by Christine Pearce

CD Spotlight. Perfection of Ensemble - Beethoven's early string quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. '... no excuse for the near-supersonic velocity ...'

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

Highly Articulate - American dramatic soprano Christine Brewer talks to Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Magical Week - Maria Nockin reports from Santa Fe

Ensemble. Especially Successful - Gillian Wills reports from the Australian Fesival of Chamber Music

Balancing Act - Beethoven in E flat, with Julian Jacobson and friends

CD Spotlight. Diversely Experienced - Music for bassoon, harpsichord and double bass, impresses Howard Smith. '... an outright "tour de force".'

CD Spotlight. Faultless Performances - Beethoven from The Nash Ensemble, welcomed by Howard Smith. '... a class of its own.'

A Real Find - Robert Davies made a remarkable impact when he stood in as Papageno late in the run of English Touring Opera's 'The Magic Flute'; Roderic Dunnett profiles him and celebrates the progress of other ETO cast members

Ensemble. An Immensely Successful Event - Thomas Bielinski reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2009

Ensemble. Another Treat - Martinu's 'Mirandolina' at Garsington Opera, by Roderic Dunnett

Ask Alice - When to put up and shut up, by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. A Poignant Question-mark - Opera North's 'Abduction from the Seraglio', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Notable Success - Grange Park Opera's 'Norma', reviewed by Robert Hugill

DVD Spotlight. Superlative Music - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the flames are formidable ...'

Ensemble. A Dream-Travelogue of Intoxification - David Wilkins attends a concert at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire

Ensemble. Wholly Captivating - Rossini's 'Italian Girl in Algiers' impresses Howard Smith

Life and Other Distractions - Béla Hartmann writes about the relevance of biography to an appreciation of the arts

Ensemble. Sometimes Impressive - Bellini's 'Norma' from English Touring Opera, heard by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Virtuoso Duo - Performances by the Elaris Duo, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... all the passion, drama and integrity one could want.'

The Composer's Conundrum - Gordon Rumson has some bad news about creativity and self-promotion

Ensemble. Quite a Charmer - 'Alessandro' at the London Handel Festival, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Fire in its Belly - Lothar Zagrosek conducts the Konzerthausorchester, Berlin, heard by Mike Wheeler

Easy Grace - Martyna Jatkauskaite plays Mozart and Schumann, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Crisp and Incisive - English Touring Opera's 'Magic Flute', enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Winning Freshness - Music by Bach, Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, Mozart and Wagner, played by Sinfonia Viva, and heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Fire and Magic - Richard Stoltzman's 'Phoenix in Flight', recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... meltingly beautiful ...'

Ensemble. Truly Elegant - Arizona Opera's 'Don Giovanni', appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Dignity Personified - Apollo's Fire performs 'Dido and Aeneas', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Eminently Competitive - Mozart works for clarinet, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Paul Dean demonstrates his exemplary fluency ...'

Ensemble. Rousing Performance - Mendelssohn, Ravel, Larsen and Tchaikovsky in South Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Wonderful Sound - Mozart's Requiem at Canterbury Cathedral, praised by Pippa Hare

Ensemble. Magical eloquence - The first night of Palm Beach Opera's revival of Bellini's 'Norma' provides a night to remember for Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. An Absolute Delight - Maria Nockin finds perfection in Los Angeles Opera's revival of Peter Hall's 1993 production of 'The Magic Flute'

Ensemble. Imaginatively Programmed - Handel arias from the Classical Opera Company, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. A Broader Canvas - Chamber music by Sibelius, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... fresh and unfamiliar music, put across with such conviction ...'

Pure Fashion? - Several Composers in Search of an Identity, by Béla Hartmann

Record Box. Admirable Musicianship - Caroline Clemmow and Anthony Goldstone play Chopin and entertain Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Complexity of Thought - Eugene Feygelson and Malcolm Troup play Beethoven and Bloch, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Simply Too Long - Mike Wheeler sits through film scores and Christmas music

Ensemble. Grandly Romantic - Vadim Gluzman on stage with the Boca Raton Symphonia, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Thrilling Performance - Wagner, Mozart and Schubert from Julian Bliss, Andreas Reiner and the Munich KlangVerwaltung, impresses Mike Wheeler

Seeds of Genius - Alberto Portugheis plays Beethoven at London's Foundling Museum, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Record Box. Rhapsodic Cello - Music by Bruce Cale, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall

Ensemble. Quirky Humour - Uri Caine meets Sinfonia Viva, and Mike Wheeler listens

DVD Spotlight. Fictional Hokum - Kevin Sullivan's 'Magic Flute Diaries', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a "rag-bag" of special effects and Mozartian absurdities ...'

Ensemble. Wonderful Mozart - Bill Newman listens to the Razumovsky Ensemble

Ensemble. Rhythmic Drive - Mike Wheeler listens to The Midas Touch Organ Duo

Ensemble. Sovereign Purity - Bach, Mozart and Beethoven from the Vector Wellington Orchestra, reported by Howard Smith

CD Spotlight. Consummate Mastery - Zeynep Ucbasaran plays Mozart, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... an art of crystalline clarity.'

Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for operas by Verdi, Mozart, Britten and Handel, plus the first American performance of Kaija Saariaho's 'Adriana Mater'

CD Spotlight. Virtuoso Credentials - Music for viola and piano by York Bowen, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... above praise.'

DVD Spotlight. Fortunes in Love - Mozart's 'Mitridate', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... marvellous singing throughout ...'

Ensemble. An Enjoyable Programme - Chamber music at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Tremendous Energy - Mahler and Mozart in Nottingham, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

An Enviable Technique - Matthew Schellhorn's Wigmore Hall début recital, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Chopin in the Boondocks - Stephen De Pledge returns to New Zealand, by Howard Smith

DVD Spotlight. Spitfire Coloratura - Die Zauberflöte from Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... this admirable DVD is a double first ...'

Ensemble. Wonderfully Inventive - Music and dance on the theme of creation, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Faultless Unanimity - A concert by the Roberts Quartet, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Mozart and Smetana - The Nobilis Trio at Steinway Hall, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... musically pleasurable.'

CD Spotlight. Unrivalled - János Starker plays Bartók, Boccherini, Kodály, Mozart and Leo Weiner, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... instrumental artistry at its finest.'

CD Spotlight. Life-affirming Mozart - Recordings from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's 2006 Festival, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... bold, arresting, re-creative performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Surprisingly Novel - Flute sonatas by the eight-year-old Mozart, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... superb advocacy ...'

Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Two productions at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Intellectual Oasis - Lawrence Budmen returns to Tanglewood to hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Searing Intensity - Gillian Wills talks to conductor Sebastian Lang-Lessing in the context of the recent Mendelssohn Festival in Hobart, Tasmania

Ensemble. Beautifully Judged - Mike Wheeler makes a final visit to the Buxton Festival for Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro'

Ensemble. Brahms and Jazz - Organist Peter Gould joins forces with The Swingle Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Simply Wonderful - Mozart's 'Il re pastore' at Garsington, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. A Celebratory Feel - Grange Park Opera's 'The Magic Flute', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Magnetic Presence - Mozart's 'Figaro' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Majestic Performance - Martino Tirimo's final 2006 Mozart recital, reviewed by Bill Newman

Vociferous and Delectable - Martino Tirimo plays Mozart, reviewed by Bill Newman

DVD Spotlight. Weird Love Tales - Offenbach's 'The Tales of Hoffmann', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a cast, orchestra, conductor and stage team fully up to tackling a very demanding project.'

Beethoven's Supremacy - The 2007 Beethoven Junior Intercollegiate Piano Competition, reviewed by Julian Jacobson

Hide and Seek - Finding Mozart in his image, by Thomas Larson

Ensemble. Unstoppable Momentum - Masterpieces from the Austro-Germanic symphonic repertoire played by Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. The Power of Music - Performances of 'The Magic Flute' and 'Orfeo' from Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Creative Heritage - Regrets and remedies, the Wigmore way, by Bill Newman

Ensemble. New Meanings? - An evening of subtle brutality, by Karen Haid

Splendidly Sonorous - Sharona Joshua plays a copy of an early piano, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Magical Music Theatre - Patric Standford was at the first night of Opera North's 'The Magic Flute'

Ensemble. Deeply Involving - Emile de Roubaix and the Maraini Quartet play Mozart, Szymanowski and Brahms, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Slav Triumph - Malcolm Troup succumbs to the pzazz of the Burov/Miletic Duo

Ensemble. Incisive Musicianship - 'The Marriage of Figaro' in Arizona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Lovingly Shaped - André de Ridder and Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Power and Effervescence - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Simplicity and Directness - Malcolm Miller assesses Opera Project's 'Don Giovanni', currently on tour

DVD Spotlight. Safe Passage? - Mozart's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a disappointing monument ...'

CD Spotlight. Spontaneity and Immediacy - Martino Tirimo celebrates Mozart's 250th Anniversary, enjoyed by Bill Newman. '... outstanding performances.'

DVD Spotlight. Much Resonance - Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in Ramallah, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... an orchestra of first-class accomplishment.'

Ensemble. A masterclass in performing Mozart - A concert by Stephen Hough, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra delighted Mike Wheeler

Infallible Beauty - Martino Tirimo's Mozart from Cadogan Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. A Light Touch - Mozart's 'The Magic Flute', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Tanglewood and Beyond - The sounds of summer in the Berkshires, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Masterly and Musical - An organ recital by Adrian Lucas, appreciated by Tom Corfield

Rhythmic Bounce - Peter Gould at the organ of Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Bold and Forthright - Marcus Huxley played at Derby Cathedral, and Mike Wheeler was there

Bubbling Energy - An organ recital by Malcolm Riley, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

A Terrific Introduction - A guide to Mozart's instrumental music, recommended by Ron Bierman

Noble and Moving - An organ recital by Andrew Nethsingha, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Sunshine and Stars - The Australian Festival of Chamber Music 2006 continues, and Malcolm Tattersall sends a second report

DVD Spotlight. Cruelty Scorned - Die Entführung aus dem Serail, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a final curtain meriting maximum applause.'

Ensemble. Important Revelations - A gala concert presented by Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Maria Nockin was at San Diego Opera's 'The Magic Flute'

Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - The Budapest Symphony Orchestra on tour in the UK, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Pianistic Phenomenon - Malcolm Troup was at Qian Wu's recent London South Bank recital

Ensemble. Powerful Forces - Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms from the Navarra Quartet and Simon Lane, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Energy and Style - A concert by the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Radiantly fresh - Emma Kirkby and the Derby Choral Union, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Impressively musical - 'La clemenza di Tito' reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Sylvain Cambreling in sensitive command ...'

Ensemble. Dueling Divas - One-act operas by Mozart and Salieri, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Deeply satisfying - A piano recital by Jane Ford, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Mozart viewpoints - Bill Newman reports on the 250th anniversary

Ensemble. Flair and momentum - Malcolm Miller enjoys a highlight of the BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Mozart Quartet Series

Record box. Crisp performance - Michel Dalberto plays Mozart Piano Concertos, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Style and concept - Two young pianists of outstanding promise, by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Maturity and insight - Julian Bliss and Sinfonia Viva in Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Class actions? - Alistair Hinton replies to Patric Standford's latest on 'Class acts'

Ensemble. Punchy dynamism - Sinfonia ViVA at Derby's Guildhall, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Incandescent conviction - Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven in Littleover, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Too many words? - Peter Shaffer's play 'Amadeus', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Symphonic structure - The Hallé Orchestra plays Vaughan Williams in Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Sensationally STILL - Alexa Still and the NGC Wellington Sinfonia, reviewed by Howard Smith

Record box. Wilby's reconstruction - Daniel Hope plays Mozart, reviewed by Howard Smith

Ensemble. A veritable dynamo - A conversation with Paavo Järvi, and a review of his Miami concert in April, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Darkness to light - Malcolm Tattersall is at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music

Ask Alice - On singing in Cardiff, Isserlis playing Saint-Saëns and square Samson, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - On mini-disc players, Mozart in the jungle and ads for tenors, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. A musical homecoming - New World Symphony alumni return to Miami Beach for a special concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Different approaches - Comparing two piano trios on the same day, with Bill Newman

Ensemble. The lady and her entourage - Bill Newman at a concert by the London Chamber Music Group

Ensemble. Winds of change - Malcolm Miller applauds a new work by Richard Dubugnon premièred by the Haffner Wind Ensemble and Min-Jung Kym

Ensemble. Bloch revival - A concert by the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Irreplaceable to music - Tess Crebbin describes the memorial service in Munich for conductor Marcello Viotti

Ensemble. Incandescent Mozart - Lawrence Budmen reviews clarinettist Alexander Fiterstein's concert with the American String Quartet

CD Spotlight. Much to praise - Mozart wind concertos, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'The performances range from able to among the best.'

Record box. The perceptive oboe - Nancy Ambrose King plays oboe concertos, reviewed by Basil Ramsey

Ensemble. Uniting Europe - A Europamusicale Foundation fundraiser concert given by Andreas Scholl, reviewed by Tess Crebbin

CD Spotlight. Valued archives - Stokowski and the classic Columbias, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a powerful performance ...'

Ensemble. Mozart and lederhosen - A Bavarian Magic Flute, reviewed by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. A musical treasure - Aaron Rosand plays Beethoven, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen

The same or not the same? - That is the question. Alistair Hinton responds to Patric Standford's recent provocative essay

Record box. A beautiful luminosity - Mozart for organ and flute in Prague, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall

Ensemble. Richly sumptuous - The Czech Moravian Virtuosi Orchestra sparkles in novelties from Europe, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Elected endings - 'Così fan tutte' at Lyric Opera Cleveland, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz

Mozart matinées - A Salzburg Festival preview, by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. Ravel chestnut - A dazzling arrangement of 'Bolero' for two pianos, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Sacrifice

Ensemble. Feather in the cap - Rex Harley reviews a choral concert which took place on Saturday 13 March 2004 in Bristol UK

CD Spotlight. To be savoured - Aubrey Brain plays Bach, Brahms, Glazunov and Mozart, appreciated by David Thompson. '... music making of the highest calibre ...'

Ensemble. Old world charm - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin playing Brahms, Mozart and Beethoven

CD Spotlight. Appropriate ardency - Juliane Banse and András Schiff perform songs by Debussy and Mozart, reviewed by John Bell Young. '... a smart and authoritative singer ...'

Ensemble. Chamber orchestra charms - Rare Hungarian music, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Record box. Wild folk - Gilles Apap's new Bach and Mozart CD, reviewed by Keith Bramich

Record box. Graceful charm - The Talich Quartet plays Mozart, reviewed by Ron Bierman

Ensemble. Visions of the sublime - Roderic Dunnett on Covent Garden's 'Magic Flute'

Ensemble - Meeting of minds - Stephen Kovacevich and friends play excellent Mozart and Brahms, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Compelling musicianship - A recital by Ildikó Iván and Tamás Vásáry, reported by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. Awkward questions - Two Mozart keyboard CDs, reviewed by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Miracle for Bohemia! - 'La clemenza di Tito' at Covent Garden, with Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Female insurgence - Roderic Dunnett visits Garsington Opera for a feast of Mozart, Rossini and rare Janácek

Ensemble. Waiting for Figaro - Bampton Classical Opera at London's St John's Smith Square, enjoyed by David Thompson

CD Spotlight. Two violas - Mozart's String Quintets, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The playing demonstrates the lovely range of tone colours the team can so readily deploy.'

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - completions

CD Spotlight. The Maestro - Stokowski conducts Schumann and Haydn, and David Thompson listens. '... he delivers in spades.'

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - neglected genius

In the news - Roderic Dunnett samples a Garsington speciality (concluded from last week)

Mozart to savour - Alfred Brendel, Sir Charles Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Aldeburgh Festival, by Malcolm Miller

Record box - The ravishing factor. Basil Ramsey spends 131 minutes with Mozart

Record box - Trawling for treasure. Dennis Brain on BBC Legends

Variations - Malcolm Miller attended the Sixth Annual Jacqueline du Pré Concert in London

Planning your collection - Elly Ney, William Primrose and the two Syds

Planning your collection - Global Fascinations and Sophistications - Emma Johnson; Martinu string quartets, with Bill Newman