And what a difference to wend my way through Grunewald villas to Figaro at the Löwenpalais. As a longtime denizen of the Staatsoper's third-balcony seats, it was thrilling to experience opera - and the singers' able acting - in such an intimate space. And what acting too (an incadescent, maniac Cherubino, a dapper and dashing Figaro, a comic Count thwarted at every turn), and all roles sung splendidly, really, leaving David and I humming with vigour as we wheeled my bicycle along to Halensee.

Two performances remain on Saturday and Sunday, and for those who don't make those, Berlin International Opera has got Macbeth slated for March 2008.