Vienna State Opera [ENA] From the very moment the overture began in Vienna, this production of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” announced itself as a triumph of musical finesse, theatrical intelligence and emotional subtlety. Conducted by Adam Fischer, the orchestra struck just the right balance between transparent lightness and dramatic thrust, allowing Mozart’s intricate ensemble textures and clever vocal interplay to shine.   [Full story...]

Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) [ENA] From the opening of the opera overture, KLPac’s staging of Don Giovanni announced its ambition: the orchestra under Bernard Tan struck the opening theme with crisp precision and muscular optimism, laying a foundation of dramatic urgency that carried throughout the evening. Tan’s direction revealed both sensitivity to Mozart’s chamber-like textures and a willingness to propel the score into vivid theatrical momentum.   [Full story...]