Classical and opera highlights of 2015: Bellini, Monteverdi and The Indian Queen

La vida breve/Gianni Schicchi

Christopher Alden revives his blistering production of Manuel de Falla’s exuberant one-acter La vida breve starring the French soprano Anne Sophie Dupreis, and presents a new Gianni Schicchi with the whirlwind British baritone Christopher Purves in the title role.

Leeds Grand Theatre, in rep 18 to 28 February

Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

This will be the first time that Kurt Weill’s sulphurous classic has ever been at Covent Garden, and the cast includes Willard White and Christine Rice. With direction by John Fulljames and designs by Es Devlin, this should be a corker.

Royal Opera House, London, 10 March to 4 April

I Puritani

Welsh National Opera have established an interesting gameplan whereby each season is themed. Their autumn productions – which kick off with Bellini’s I Puritani – focus on music and madness.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, from 11 September

The King’s Consort: Genius of Venice

It’s good to see Robert King and his brilliant ensemble firmly back in the limelight after his years in the wilderness. This concert should be stunning, with music by Monteverdi and Gabrieli sung by a lineup including soprano Rebecca Outram and tenor James Gilchrist.

Wigmore Hall, London, 13 March

The Indian Queen

Wild boy Peter Sellars will be the director of this new production of Purcell’s unfinished opera, which he is reworking around a new text by the Nicaraguan novelist Rosario Aguilar to present the original colonial encounter between Europeans and Mayans from a female perspective. Expect something provocative.

London Coliseum, 26 February to 14 March