Andrew Stenson

The Met assembled an ideal cast for François Girard’s acclaimed new production of Wagner’s final masterpiece: Jonas Kaufmann in the title role of the fool “made wise by compassion”, René Pape as Gurnemanz, the veteran Knight of the Grail, Katarina Dalayman as Kundry, Peter Mattei is Amfortas, the anguished ruler of the Grail’s kingdom, and Evgeny Nikitin sings the evil magician Klingsor.

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte What goes around comes around on Mozart’s carousel of karma. Legendary libertine Don Giovanni is skilled in seduction yet lacks a moral compass, thoughtlessly moving from conquest to conquest, even murdering without remorse. But a dark fate will bring his joyride to a shocking conclusion, leaving the survivors who knew him forever changed. Filled with varied and evocative music of perfect elegance, Mozart’s complex creation stands apart as his boldest masterpiece.

A passionate count enlists a local barber and jack-of-all-trades to help him woo and wed a quick-witted woman. But it will take all their cunning - as well as some disguises and bribes - to ensure love wins the day. Rossini’s joyously inventive music makes this a deftly-paced triumph of comic timing. But woe betide anyone taking too many liberties. Adelina Patti, the great 19th century diva, once sang the aria ‘Una voce poco fa’ to Rossini, adding numerous florid embellishments.