From Rent to Meet Me in St Louis to Songs for a New World, we choose the best shows to feature Christmas.

From blossoming romances to an unlikely friendship between an elf and a fir tree, operatic composers have taken a shine to Christmas over the years.

From nude dancers to opera superstars, here are the top ten live reviews that had our readers hooked in 2017.

We asked our readers to vote on their favourite pieces of classical music for Christmas. Here are the results!

A musical discovery is making people rethink the idea that Henry VIII’s sixth wife was simply the comfy-cosy nursemaid who eased his declining years.

Yindyamarra is an uplifting album featuring eight new songs by Australian composers that celebrate Christmas in contemporary Australia.

Playing in Hamburg dives, poor Brahms was exposed to certain scenes that stuck for life.

While noting the generosity of philanthropists who donate valuable instruments, the composer makes a case for funding the human voice.

Romancing Danielle de Niese or tapping out Kosky’s Shostakovich, meet the tenor who ‘nose’ no bounds.

Marina Prior once wanted to be Kate Bush. Her tastes turn out to be eclectic, with Joni Mitchell on high rotation, but her husband can only listen to punk when she’s not there.

The exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery takes you behind the scenes of the Australian film industry.

The Australian soprano is presenting Christmas carols, opera arias and art songs in a concert for the homeless in Martin Place.