WHAT’S ON: The Northern Sinfonia and Chorus conducted by Nicholas Kraemer present Handel’s Theodora at The Sage Gateshead, 7pm, tonight. Box office: 0191- 443 4661.

REVIEWS: Einaudi: Nightbook (Decca 4763639) Ludovico Einaudi unveils his new project, a musical meditation on the transition between light and darkness, the known and the unknown.

His sonic colours are created through the seamless blending of the piano with the strings and percussion, and electronics which amplify the sound of the piano. Einaudi appears at The Sage Gateshead at 7.30pm on Saturday to present his new work.

Cecilia Bartoli: Sacrificium (Decca 4781522) Bartoli uncovers the extraordinary world of the Castrati, and sings the glorious music they inspired. The album focuses on the Neapolitan school, which produced superstar castrati including Farinelli and Caffarelli.

Mozart Arias: Danielle De Niese (Decca 4781511) Soprano De Niese joins the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras to present a feast of Mozart’s most beautiful arias. The album also features Bryn Terfel.