What to spend your Christmas money on? Try some Trifonov, or take a punt and discover Thalberg, Eccles or Paul Ben-Haim.

The Aussie Heldentenor digs deep into his experience bank to offer insights into Rienzi, Lohengrin, Parsifal and Tristan. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

The soprano brings her Mimì to the London stage, while Aussies fill out the ranks of the Covent Garden season.

★★★½☆ Comedy, musical richness and social commentary mingle in this early Venetian classic.

Catherine Carby leads an Aussie invasion at the Siege of Calais.

This memorable live recording of Strauss’ bittersweet masterpiece was taken from live performances at the Sydney Opera House in 2010 and shows the company at maximum strength with an outstanding trio of female voices, some superbly idiomatic conducting and a fine supporting cast. Cheryl Barker is Strauss’ Die Marschallin, a married woman trying to come to terms with the march of time who proves wise enough to let her younger lover move on to girl of his own age. The role sits well for her and plays to her natural strengths for vocal characterisation and attention to text. The odd shrill note aside, this is a deeply felt performance, possibly her finest on record. Emma Pearson is a delicious Sophie (the aforementioned younger woman), her pure voice managing the exposed high notes with greater ease than many a starrier name. Catherine Carby is equally distinguished as Octavian, ardent and youthful sounding, vocally able to compliment both Barker and Pearson. The various love duets are ravishing and the famous trio a genuine highlight. The young Austrian bass Manfred Hemm makes a ripe and resonant Ochs with bags of character and genuine Viennese accent.  If his top is a little pushed, his…