OPERA

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Frank Capra’s 1946 film has been adapted for opera by librettist Gene Scheer and composer Jake Heggie, with a touch of Broadway musical magic. A hit in America, it comes to the UK with the soprano Danielle de Niese as the angel Clara (replacing the film’s Clarence).

London Coliseum, WC2 (eno.org), until Dec 10

THE MAGIC FLUTE

There’s no better introduction to opera than Mozart’s wonderful score and the touching (if sometimes confusing) story of good outwitting evil. David McVicar’s superb production, beautifully designed and lit, is triumphantly conducted by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Maxim Emelyanychev. The soprano Anna Prohaska leads the cast.

Royal Opera House, London WC2 (roh.org.uk), until Dec 30

GLORIANA

A one-off performance of the opera that Benjamin Britten wrote for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, about the stormy reign and personal conflicts of her predecessor Elizabeth I. Martyn Brabbins conducts, with the alto Christine Rice in the title role.

London Coliseum, WC2 (eno.org), Thurs