Radu Boruzescu

The two operas, Pagliacci and Cavalleria rusticana will run Sept. 5-28 at the Dutch National Opera.

A review of Robert Carsen's direction of 'Les Fetes Venitiennes,' as performed by Les Arts Florissants and L'Opera Comique at BAM.

Andre Campra's 1710 opera-ballet, LES FETES VENETIENNES, with William Christie and Les Arts Florissants made its New York debut at BAM last week in an utterly charming production by Robert Carsen. Unfortunately, watching this lighter-than-air piece seemed like making a complete meal out of amuses-bouches, those delectable tidbits from the chef before the meal starts at a four-star restaurant. Very tasty, but not very substantial for a three-hour tour.

The 65th annual Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, under the leadership of General Manager Bernard Foccroulle, will feature five opera productions, a selection of orchestral concerts, recitals, chamber music performances, world music programs, and more than 50 events from the 16th annual European Academy of Music. The Festival marks important milestones this year: Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner's 200th birthday anniversaries; Benjamin Britten's centennial; the 50th anniversary of Francis Poulenc's death; and celebrates Marseille-Provence 2013, European Cultural Capital for the year. All events unfold in extraordinary venues, many of them open-air, in and around the picturesque ancient Provencal city: a Medieval archbishop's palace, an 18th century Italian-style theatre, a private courtyard hidden behind doors dating back to the time of Louis XV, and an 11th century Romanesque chapel inside the grounds of a Renaissance castle - as well as a state of the art, 1,350-seat theatre. The official portion of the Festival runs from July 4 to 27, 2013.