Iolanta and The Nutcracker.

The article reviews recent opera recordings and productions, focusing on Stefan Herheim’s staging of Menotti’s *Amahl and the Night Visitors* at Theater an der Wien, noted for its sensitive portrayal of illness and strong performances, including boy soprano Tempu Ishijima. It also discusses a Vienna Volksoper production combining Tchaikovsky’s *Iolanta* and *The Nutcracker*, directed by Lotte de Beer, which attempts to merge the two works but receives mixed critiques for choreography and conceptual clarity. Additionally, the article highlights new recordings of 19th-century operatic adaptations: John Thomas’s harp and piano duos featuring works by Gounod, Verdi, and Rossini, and Ferdinando Sebastiani’s clarinet and piano pieces showcasing operatic themes, both praised for their musicianship and historical interest. Finally, a 2022 Bergamo production of Donizetti’s *La favorite* is reviewed, commended for vocal performances and conducting but critiqued for certain staging choices.