First Call, Last Call

First Call

WHEN OPERA is mentioned today, it's usually within the context of the massive amounts of taxpayer's money needed to keep institutions like the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden solvent. Perhaps those penny-pinching critics should be made to watch this powerful and passionate production of Puccini's most familiar opera, Tosca, which is sung in English and then see if they feel the same way.

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 (0171-589 8212) 18-26 Feb

Last Call

THERE IS nowt as strange as revived careers, and you'll find proof of this in the popularity of the Bauhaus (right) resurrection. It's a surprise to find Bauhaus have added an extra date to their tour due to popular demand, as in their heyday they didn't exactly hit the big time. Despite cutting some interesting singles, including the gothic anthems "Bela Lugosi's Dead" and "Terror Couple Kill Colonel", they achieved their only UK Top 20 hit with a cover version of "Ziggy Stardust" after appearing alongside David Bowie in the movie The Hunger.

Brixton Academy, 211 Stockwell Road, Brixton, London SW9 (0171-924 9999) Sun 8 Nov