MUSIC CHOICE

CONCERTS

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIGMORE HALL INTERNATIONAL SONG COMPETITION

Wigmore Hall, W1 (0171 935 2141) Mon to Sat

Second season of a biennial event won last time round by the American baritone Marcus De Loach.

NORTHLANDS FESTIVAL

Wick, Scotland (01955 606660) Tues to 21 Sep

Concerts include the launch of the BBC Scottish SO Soloists Ensemble. Plus a new community opera by Will Todd.

BRAVO BARITONE: STEPHAN GENZ

Wigmore Hall, W1 (0171 935 2141) Wed Smooth and young, but surprisingly mature German baritone, who will be singing Schubert & Wolf along with Roger Vignoles.

KIRI TE KANAWA

Barbican, EC2 (0171 638 8891) Thurs

The dame (below) does Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne with the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Paul Goodwin.

OPERA

OPENING THIS WEEK

PORGY AND BESS

Festival Hall, SE1 (0171 960 4242) Mon to Sat A Raymond Gubbay import from America. Singers unknown. Standards unpredictable.

LA TRAVIATA Leeds Grand Theatre (0113 222 6222) Thurs to 20 Nov Searching, stripped-bare staging by Annabel Arden, with Janis Kelly and Tom Randle in the leads.

ORFEO

Coliseum, WC2 (0171 632 8300) Fri to 18 Oct John Mark Ainsley in title role. ENO conducting debut for Anthony Rolfe Johnson

AGRIPPINA St Johns, Smith Sq, SW1 (0171 222 1061) Sat The Early Opera Group's concert of Handel's none too serious response to Roman intrigues.

MW