Classical Companion

ROH/Hengelbrock
Opus Arte OA0970D/OABD7035D
Sexy, funny, realistic in every detail: Jonathan Miller's now-classic staging, led by Thomas Allen's matchless fixer.

VPO/Mallwitz
Erato 9029505032
A slightly cut, Covid-friendly 2020 Salzburg staging by Christof Loy, marked by deep and wounded feelings from all parties.

Teatro Real, Madrid/Cambreling
C major 714508/3447169
Even darker and more sinister, Michael Haneke's production tests the limits of love and resilience like his films.

OAE/Fischer, Glyndebourne
Opus Arte OA0970D/OABD7035D
A safe first choice for period instruments and costumes, with angst left to simmer under the surface of Nicholas Hytner's stage direction.

RAI Rome/Maag
Arts Archives 430352 (2CDs)
Dry sound and ragged playing, but full of intimate banter and sudden flare-ups, with every irony pointed up by Maag's sure hand.

OAE/Mackerras
Chandos CHAN3152 (3CDs)
No libretto needed: Così in (Victorian) English, with every word relished by Allen's Alfonso and another experienced Mozartian maestro.