You have reached the limit of free articles.
To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper
Sign up by Email or Facebook.
Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.
If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use
In the Know
Best of
Celebrate the musical giants who transformed British music-making with 10 of our favourite musical influencers
Tried and Tested
Opera
Long-awaited return to Covent Garden of Handel's fine opera, streamed with an all-star cast
In the Know
Opera
Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Handel and Richard Strauss operas are planned for the summer, with dates and casts to be announced. But keep room in your diary from May to August
We love
Opera
Glamorous, sexy and funny, a Glyndebourne classic takes a traditional love story to new places, thanks to a scintillating production by David McVicar
Tried and Tested
Opera
The stars of the future light up the stage of the Royal Opera House in the third live concert, streamed to subscribers
Tried and Tested
Opera
It's not all solemnity at the first live streaming from the Royal Opera House: a cluster of songs about pets lightens the mood
Preview
Opera
Young singing stars and a glittering orchestra put a shine on a dull modern-dress staging of a rarely heard oratorio by Handel
Book Now
Best of
The Easter story told in song, a Handel rarity and Messiah, performed by top artists in churches and concert halls
In the Know
Opera
Composer Gerald Barry on discovering books and music, and two forthcoming Royal Opera House productions
In the Know
Opera
Beethoven, Handel and Poulenc operas are given new productions, plus revivals
We love
Opera
Handel's opera of magic and transformation is staged at the summer opera house for the first time, with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in the pit
Book Now
Best of
A bumper year for opera in both city and country houses, concerts marking 250 years of Beethoven's legacy and a chance to catch the biggest names in music today
In the Know
Opera
English National Opera got back on its feet, the Proms went from strength to strength, and the Royal Opera House season grew and grew
Tried and Tested
Dance
The Russian superstar ballerina Svetlana Zakharova’s Modanse, now showing at Coliseum, is a double bill where high fashion meets dance and often supplants it
We love
Opera
The 10 best performances that herald Christmas with compelling story-telling, grand choruses and spectacular solos sung by the finest artists
In the Know
Opera
The Royal Opera House tenor talks to Stephen Pritchard about the Messiah season, perpetual youth and getting lost backstage at Covent Garden
We love
Opera
Joyce DiDonato leads an all-star cast in Barrie Kosky's thrilling production of Handel's opera of ambition and revenge
Essential
Opera
Mozart, Handel, Britten, Donizetti – and a new opera for all the family
We love
Opera
The triumphant return of a Handel opera to Covent Garden, after 280 years, is a tremendous curtain-raiser for the London Handel Festival
In the Know
Opera
Dvorak, Mozart, Rossini and more, plus a rarity directed by Fiona Shaw in a season that opens with a big Berlioz bang
In the Know
Opera
Stand by for the hottest tickets in opera: this season's Glyndebourne booking opens to the public on 3 March. Here are the shows to catch
We love
Opera
Tongue-in-cheek interpretation of Handel's heroic opera stars counter-tenor Tim Mead and Elizabeth DeShong
In the Know
Opera
The soprano on composer Barbara Strozzi, keeping fit on stage, and her fantasy opera roles
Preview
Opera
London's greatest composer was born in Germany, and given British citizenship. This month of concerts, walks and talks celebrates the enduring impact of George Frideric Handel on the capital
In the Know
Classical Music
Where else would Schumann, Purcell and Handel rub shoulders with Joy Division and Arcade Fire? Musical barriers come down at this sparky winter fixture
Tried and Tested
Opera
A complex tale of tyranny, lust and betrayal is simply told through music in a stylish new production
Tried and Tested
Dance
Vivaldi and Handel provide the score to two contrasting new works brought to the Peacock Theatre by New English Ballet Theatre.
Book Now
Opera
Handel and Purcell weave tales of love and duty into ethereal works staged in style by the country's premier touring company
Preview
Classical Music
A fortnight of world-class performances in small-scale venues, featuring music from Bach and Beethoven to Dixieland and Jerome Kern
We love
Best of
Let rip with the tango, be moved by Handel and Britten, then party at the tuneful Last Night
Essential
Classical Music
Composer of film, TV soundtracks and concert works talks to Claudia Pritchard about music in schools, a brand new work, and the cost to creativity of leaving the EU
We love
Classical Music
Sacred music by JS Bach and Handel preside over Easter music programmes throughout London. Here are the best works performed by the best musicians