Yuja Wang adds sparkle to the Barbican [yujawang.com]

THE tale of a lowly soldier driven to madness and murder by a brutalising military system, Wozzeck is one of the pioneering operas of the 20th century. And though not always easy on the ear, a new production always draws attention – as will be the case when Deborah Warner’s new staging opens this week at the Royal Opera House.

Written during the Second World War, it’s coloured by composer Alban Berg’s experience of serving in the Austrian ranks, which he described as being “sick, captive, resigned… humiliated”. But the darkness of his score combines with sympathy for the central character – played here by the most profoundly heart-stirring of German baritones, Christian Gerhaher.

With Antonio Pappano conducting one of his last shows as Covent Garden’s music director, it’s a drop-everything-and-be-there event. May 19-June 7. roh.org.uk

• If your secret vice is an unfulfilled desire to play the harpsichord, now is the moment to be out and proud. St John’s Smith Square has an entire day of events called Meet the Harpsichord, run by eminent performer Steven Devine and designed to give newcomers hands-on experience of an instrument with image problems. No prior experience necessary, according to Smith Sq, so don’t be shy. May 20. sjss.org.uk

• Forget Lang Lang: the most dazzling Asian pianist on the circuit now is Yuja Wang, whose platform dynamism comes with depth of musical intelligence that Lang Lang doesn’t always manage. She’ll be at the Barbican on May 25 to give the UK premiere of a new piano concerto by celebrated Finnish composer Magnus Lindbergh. Expect fireworks and sensational frocks. But also expect serious artistry. www.barbican.org.uk

• When it comes to concert wardrobe, the conductor Marios Papadopoulos can’t compete with Yuja Wang; but he’s in festive mode this year to celebrate the silver jubilee of the orchestra he founded back in 1998, the Oxford Philharmonic. They’re together at Cadogan Hall on May 23 with a mainstream Mozart/Beethoven programme, but also a new Anniversary Greeting by John Rutter. cadoganhall.com

• Last year Regents Opera had the chutzpah to launch a Wagner Ring cycle. It’s now reached Die Walkure, the second instalment in the cycle which plays May 21-27 in the lofty, Valhalla-like precincts of Freemasons Hall near Holborn. Worth going for the venue alone. regentsopera.com

• Durufle’s Requiem ranks among the most serenely beautiful, transporting and consoling of them all. Highgate Choral Society do it at St Michael’s Highgate on May 20. And as it’s not a long work, there’s also music by Brahms and Finzi on the programme. hcschoir.com

• Finally don’t forget the concert of choral works by Michael and Lennox Berkeley I flagged last week as part of the ongoing London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. It plays Hampstead Parish Church, May 20, with Michael in attendance. lfccm.com