Don Giovanni
The big star here is Anna Netrebko, as her namesake, Donna Anna - one of the womanising Giovanni's conquests. Not sure that it will suit her voice, frankly, but she's always worth seeing. However, the real reason not to miss this is the Don of Erwin Schrott, the hot baritone prospect of the moment. I'm eager to see what all the fuss is about.
Royal Opera House, June 11- 8 July 8, roh.org
Kismet
Here we go again: should an opera company be doing musicals? Especially with Michael Ball in the cast? Well, this Broadway show is half an opera anyway (sort of, with music inspired by Borodin) and Ball's hearty tenor has often been underestimated. It'll be fascinating to hear how he sounds in operatic surroundings.
English National Opera, London Coliseum, June 25 - Jul 14, eno.org
Proms Opening Night
Book early for the first night of the Proms. Traditionally, the first night is given to a choral blockbuster, and here we have Beethoven's Choral Symphony. Last year, a power cut forced its cancellation so - not wishing to falter on the annual Beethoven count - 2007 will see two separate performances at either end of the season. This one is conducted by the marvellous Jiri Belohlavek.
Royal Albert Hall, London, Jul 13, bbc.co.uk/proms/2007
The Enigma Variations
Elgar year wouldn't be done justice without a good showing at the Proms - so there are high hopes for his mysterious Variations, played by Daniele Gatti and the Royal Philharmonic. Again, this will be a popular one, so book now. The concert also includes Richard Strauss's glorious Oboe Concerto.
Royal Albert Hall, London, Aug 5, royalalberthall.com
Royal Festival Hall 'Overture'
It's the most eagerly anticipated event in London's music calendar. Will the £105 million refit of the Royal Festival Hall (Sir Simon Rattle once said that conducting there made him "lose the will to live") finally give England's capital city a major concert hall worthy of its artistic heritage?
Everyone who can squeeze inside will find out for themselves during the venue's 'Overture' weekend - a grand opening featuring some 18,000 performers during 48 hours of music. And it's all free of charge (apart, obviously from the taxpayers' money already directed to the renovation). It begins on Friday night, with a candlelit barge bearing a 300-strong choir up the Thames. For the rest, there is everything, it seems, from ballroom dancing to the Philharmonia playing Beethoven's 9th Symphony, conducted by Paul Daniel (just the last movement, mind, with new words courtesy of Billy Bragg).
There are, indeed, treats amid the voluminous roll-call: the marvellous clarinetist Julian Bliss dropping by for a 30-minute session; an hour from the excellent young cellist Natalie Clein (above) and classical guitarist Xuefei Yang; and Tallis and Britten from The Sixteen (though there's only 20 minutes - count 'em - for one of the world's leading vocal ensembles).
Royal Festival Hall, June 9 and 10, southbankcentre.co.uk
Bach Cello Suites - Steven Isserlis
Hyperion
It has taken him years to face up to the monumental challenge that is the Bach Cello Suites, but Steven Isserlis comes up trumps in a deeply intelligent traversal with a tremendous emotional pay-off.
Szymanowski Violin Concertos
Naxos
Ilya Kaler is the sweet-toned soloist here, in a fascinating exploration of works that still sound strange, and hypnotically new.
Liszt Piano Works - Arcadi Volodos
Sony Classical
Why does Arcadi Volodos, one of the truly great pianists of our age, record so little? Beats me, but be grateful for this latest: a masterly collection.
R Strauss - Josephlegende
Channel Classics
Strauss got to the Joseph tale before Andrew Lloyd Webber, and his ballet version could not be more different. Eroticism and moral decadence cavort through the exotic score - even reading the synopsis is enough to raise the eyebrow. Ivan Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra are resplendent.
Zehetmair Quartet
ECM New Series
Never a group to shirk a challenge, the Zehetmairs career through Bartok and Hindemith, often at breakneck pace, switching mood and dynamic on a coin. It's quite a ride.
