In this month's features we explore three new productions of Swan Lake, pay tribute to Ralph Vaughan Williams on his 150th, investigate a new opera about Olive Pink and publish an extract from Andrew Mellor's new book The Northern Silence about Nordic music and culture.

Vaughan Williams’ 150th tops and tails this month’s new classical albums, plus the latest from the Danish String Quartet, a classic Bryn Terfel recital and a heartfelt new Traviata.

Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé deliver a characterful, colourful tribute to Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Allan Clayton is a Grimes for today in Deborah Warner's heart-breaking and insightful update.

Lise Davidsen's sophomore album is first class.

Elder and the Halle travel inspirationally between Heaven and Hell.

Top-notch performers and engineering, led by an experienced Donizettian with a keen instinct for how to shape this music.

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

The story of the little opera company who could, told with help from Yvonne Kenny, Sir Mark Elder and more.

Sir Mark Elder’s first-thoughts Puccini may well give you the willis.

Sir Mark Elder’s first-thoughts Puccini may well give you the willis.

Angel takes wing as Donizetti’s lost opera is revisited at last.