It’s on occasions like this that the star-rating system runs into irreconcilable difficulties. I honestly cannot remember a time when musical and theatrical values were in such total divergence.

The opera singer Elizabeth Connell enjoyed 10 successful years as a mezzo before becoming a soprano and enjoying over two decades more of international acclaim.

I'm all for cats at the opera – a fuzzy feline will always raise a smile. But isn't there something alarming about it when a mermaid meets one? We all know what cats do to fish. It looks as if that might happen to the unfortunate Rusalka, the eponymous heroine of Dvorak's post-Wagnerian take on The Little Mermaid, in the opera's first-ever production at the Royal Opera House.

Less than £200... Berlin bound

Starting from 3 June, the airports of Birmingham and Manchester will be directly connected with the German city, thanks to new flights from Lufthansa. Visit the Opodo website before tomorrow (26 January)to take advantage of some early booking offers. Return economy fares start at £83; while three-night packages including accommodation areavailable for £186 per person fortravel between 3 June and 31 December. Opodo.co.uk

Fabio Capello's attempt to change the style of England's build-up for the European Championship next summer from their preparation for last year's World Cup finals was underlined this weekend when the Football Association announced the team would be spending a week in Marbella.

Budget airline easyJet is to start services to the Austrian city of Salzburg, it announced today.

Every week we invite three competing travel companies to give us their best deal for a specific holiday. Today: a week-long family adventure in the Alps during the May half-term holiday. Prices are for a family of four, departing on 28 May...

Robert Tear's very successful operatic career lasted for over 40 years. Renowned for his Handel and Mozart, the Welsh tenor was also particularly admired for his roles in operas by Britten and several other 20th century composers. Though mainstream Italian opera figured rarely in his repertory, Russian and German works offered him many opportunities to display his vocal and dramatic skills.

Cut-price Family & Friends Railcard

Get 25 per cent off a Family & Friends Railcard until 4 March. The cost of the price-cutting pass, on which up to four adults and four children can travel at one time, is being reduced from £26 to £19.50.

Available only online, go to familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/now

Wayne Bridge completed only 20 minutes of Manchester City's training session yesterday before limping off, this on the day his manager Roberto Mancini expressed his frustration at the full-back's inability to finish matches without breaking down.