For the past two days I 've been running around in London for meetings with artists managers and other colleagues from the business putting a lot of ideas for future casting and projects in my brain. In the evenings I went to ENO for Katie Mitchell's disturbingly interesting design-production of Idomeneo and Catherine Malfitano's inventively traditional production of Tosca with its absolutely breathtaking vertigo-effect for Tosca's suicide at the end. I look forward to Catherine's project with the COC in a few years from now.

Even though I always have to get used to the fact that everything at ENO is sung in English there was some very fine singing from Paul Nilon (Idomeneo), Robert Murray (Idamante), Sarah Tynan (a lovely Ilia), Amanda Echalaz (Tosca) and Julian Gavin (Cavaradossi). Edward Gardner, ENO's music director, conducted both performances. ENO is very lucky to have him. He always gets first rate performances from his orchestra and is a true singers' conductor as well. Right now, he probably is one of my favourite conductors for Puccini.

My luggage is packed and I'll leave for the airport soon. Tonight, I will be back home.