A monthly selection of forthcoming events recommended by The Spectator's

regular critics

OPERA

Ernani, New Theatre, Cardiff (0222 394844), from 9 March. One of Verdi's strongest early efforts, based on the drama by Victor Hugo. WNO revives Elijah Moshinsky's production, with Paolo Kudriavchenko in the title role and the gutsy Suzanne Murphy as his beloved Elvira. Richard Armstrong conducts.

Death in Venice, Covent Garden (071 240 1066), from 10 March. The original production of Britten's last masterpiece is brought back in a new form, with John Piper's sets redesigned by producer Colin Graham. Philip Langridge takes the demanding central role of Aschenbach, Steuart Bedford conducts.

Orfeo, London Coliseum (071 836 3161), from 13 March. David Freeman's much-praised version of Monteverdi's austere and powerful opera is presented by ENO in John Eliot Gardiner's edition, to be conducted by Harry Bieket. The peerless Anthony Rolfe Johnson sings the title role and the great mezzo-soprano Sally Burgess is also in the cast. Rupert Christiansen

MUSIC

The Brahms Experience will run at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 21 and 22 March, Participants will include Roger Norrington, Lynne Dawson, Olaf Bar, Melvyn Tan and John Toll. The usual round of lectures . and recitals will culminate in a performance of the Brahms Requiem on the 22nd, given by the London Classical Players conducted by Roger Norrington.

A different amalgam of music, literature and exhibitions entitled Towards the Millennium will also he given at the South Bank Centre this March and April under the auspices of Simon Rattle. The years 1911-1920 are being featured in the 1992 festival, which includes concerts on the 6th (QEH: Salle, Ives and Stravinsky), 13th (RFH: Nielsen and Ravel) and 25th (RFH: Debussy, Elgar and Stravinsky). The concerts are played by the London Sinfonietta and the City of

Birmingham SO, Peter Phillips

EXHIBITIONS

Zdzislaw Ruszkowski (1907-1991), Polish Cultural Institute, WI, from 6 March. Retrospective of rich, colourful work by courageous exile.

Monique Julia, Bruton Gallery, Bath, from 17 March. Perpignan- born poet and painter reveals visionary attitude to nature.

Mainie Jellett: a Retrospective Exhibition, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, till 22 March. Largest show so far of key early Irish modernist.

The Expressionist Face: Graphic Art in Germany 1905-1925, Manchester City Art Gallery, from 12 March. Munch, Dix, Kollwitz & co. put a face on expressionism.

Van Gogh in England, Barbican Art Gallery. Vincent's stay here from 1873 to 1876 put in historical context. Giles Auty

CRAFTS

Arts from the Ancient Andean Cultures: Textiles, Feathenvork, Ceramics and Metalwork, Accademia ltaliana, SW7, till 15 March. Celebrates the indigenous cultures of South America.

Designer Profile: Eileen Gray, Design Museum, SE I, 10 March- 5 July. Smallish show looking at Eileen Gray's architecture as well as her furniture designs.

Eileen Gray's Transit: armchair, /9.30 Lucie Rie, Part I: 1930-1970, Galerie Besson, WI, 4 March- 4 April. The first of two shows celebrating the 90t11 birthday of this great potter. Tanya Harrod

CINEMA

The big release this month is Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear (18). Described by some as 'repugnant', 'distasteful' and 'debased', the movie has so far made $70 million and put more 'bums on seats' than any other Scorsese production. As with The Silence of the Lambs, the story revolves around a deranged psychopath who likes to bite chunks out of people's faces. Robert De Niro plays the hideously tattooed 'mad' Max Cady, out to revenge himself on the defence attorney (Nick Nolte) responsible for his 14- year sentence of rape.

Hear My Song is an entertaining and quirky British comedy set in Ireland which has gone down well at the international film festivals. Ned Beatty (Lex Luther's chubby sidekick in Superman) plays an Irish tenor on the run from the tax man; Adrian Dunbar, wide-boy and variety club proprietor from Liverpool. is his unlikely pursuer.

The Oscars are announced on 30 March. This year's front runner; with ten nominations, is Bugsy (18), the story of the 1940s mobster Bugsy Siegel (Warren Beatty) and the building of Las Vegas.

Vanessa Letts

GARDENS

The Society of Botanical Artists will be holding its annual open exhibition, Flowery and Gardens, this year at Westminster Central Hall, London, from 13 to 28 March (Monday–Saturday, 10-5). If past form is any guide, the paintings will range from the painstakingly life- like to the impressionistic.

Ursula Buchan

DANCE

Royal Ballet, Covent Garden (071 240 1066), 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 28 March. The world premiere of Kenneth MacMillan's new ballet The Judas Tree, with Irek Mukhamedov and Viviana Durante.

Spring Loaded, The Place (071 387 (031). The spring festival of contemporary dance continues until the end of March. Among the groups appearing will be Nomads, Motionhouse, Nexus and Diversions. Deirdre McMahon

POP MUSIC

The Cowboy Junkies, Royal Albert Hall, 6 March. Although their current album Black Eyed Man (RCA) isn't quite as extravagantly quiet as their previous works, the Cowboy Junkies remain one of the least raucous acts in rock today. Country music with heart, intelligence and taste — and not a cowboy hat in sight.

Also recommended: The Jesus and Mary Chain, touring, 24 March- 5 April; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Wembley Arena, 23, 24 March; Lou Reed, currently enoying the best reviews of his career, Hammersmith Odeon, 22, 23, 25 March; Andrew Strong, the fat boy from the Commitments. Brixton Academy, 17, 18 March; and the original Walrus of Uwe, Barry White, touring 1-10 March.

Marcus Berkmann

THEATRE

The Recruiting Officer, Olivier ((171 928 2252), 10 March. George Farquhar's delightfully funny and humane 1706 comedy. The cast includes Sally Dexter, Alex Jennings and Ken Stott, It is directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Anna Karenina, Tricycle (071 328 1(00), 10 March. Shared Experience's inventive and powerful adaptation of Tolstoy's novel arrives in London via nation- wide tour for a four-week run, Measure for Measure, Young Vic (071 928 6363), 10 March, The RSC's fine touring production arrives for a limited season. Trevor Nunn directs.

Stratford transfers: the RSC's excellent Henry IV, Parts I and II arrive at the Barbican, previewing from 26 March. Don't miss their brilliant and funny production of Shadwell's The Virtuoso at the Pit.

Christopher Edwards