Alessia Naccarato

It's rare to come to a performance where the energy in the space feels palpable even before it begins. Perhaps it was my own excitement about seeing this first revival of the now infamous Barrie Kosky production that saw its UK premiere at the Royal Opera last season, but there seemed to be a definite hum in the air. It was utterly electric.

This production also featured some of the most robust and healthy singing I've heard in a long time. Carlos Álvarez carried the show as Simon Boccanegra.