M. Butterfly review – Huang Ruo’s cross-cultural opera gets an enthralling UK premiere
Remarkable performances keep us guessing about the intricacies of the east-west relationship at the heart of this BBCSO/Barbican concert staging
The week in classical: Wexford Festival Opera: Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali; The Critic and more
This most friendly of festivals revives a disaster-fuelled Donizetti caper and another backstage comedy with name-that-tune moments. Plus, a witty new opera from Colm Tóibín
BBCNOW/New – adventurous programme lifts hearts and minds
A vibrant programme of contemporary works by Jessie Montgomery, Elena Kats-Chernin and Huw Watkins (his Second Symphony) brought interest and vivid colours
Philharmonia/Alsop review – contrasting voices of the complex Mahlers side by side
Symphonic Gustav and orchestrated songs by Alma Mahler – sung with exquisite poise by Sasha Cooke – combined in a programme conducted with warmth and care by Marin Alsop
Handel in Rome review – Nardus Williams sounds heart-stoppingly lovely
This collection of youthful but complex cantatas written by the composer in Italy is a showcase for the outstanding British soprano
‘His music has joy and energy. It is luminous’: Steven Isserlis on the genius of Gabriel Fauré
Fauré is widely known for his beautiful Requiem and Pavane. But, says the British cellist, there is far more of his often radical work to enjoy and explore
London Sinfonietta/Berman review – Schoenberg celebrations fail to get the party started
The 150th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian-American composer was marked with four works that often felt rather hard going
LSO/Tilson Thomas review – emotional depth as Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony gleams
The London Symphony Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas celebrated his 80th birthday with an authoritative but restrained account of Mahler’s Second with soloists Alice Coote and Siobhan Stagg
BBC Young Musician competition crowns pianist Ryan Wang
The biennial competition that counts Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Nicola Benedetti as previous victors was won by the 17-year-old Canadian for his performance of Rachmaninov’s second piano concerto
Composer Max Richter: ‘I’m a low-key raver! I love all kinds of music’
The creator of the most streamed classical album of all time on working with Margaret Atwood, enjoying Eurovision, and uniting people through music
The week in classical: Trouble in Tahiti + A Quiet Place; The Turn of the Screw; Sinfonia of London/Wilson – review
Total commitment carries Bernstein’s uneven suburban double bill; ignore the added subtext and savour ENO’s musically outstanding Turn of the Screw; and Rachmaninov as you’ve never heard him…
Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Serenades, Humoresques album review – James Ehnes at his sublime best
The star violinist gives a muscular yet sensitive account of the composer’s only concerto, alongside other works for violin and orchestra
Grace Williams: Orchestral Works album review – vivid playing and striking drama
Vienna and Vaughan Williams are among the Welsh composer’s influences, but these orchestral pieces also show off her own distinctive style
Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande; Verklärte Nacht album review – brightness without transfiguration
Careful textures, brisk pace and the Montreal Symphony’s transparent sound are among the highlights of not fully convincing set to mark the composer’s 150th anniversary
Sinfonia of London/Wilson review – this orchestra brings a whole new dimension to listening
Rachmaninov’s first symphony was a joy-filled highlight but Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s thoughtful interpretation of Shostakovich’s second cello concerto glowed too in an evening of exhilarating music-making