its idiry A monthly selection of forthcoming events recommended by

The Spectator's regular critics

OPERA

11 sogno di Scipione and The Impresario, Buxton Festival (0298 72190), 1, 3, 7, 9 August. Yet more Mozart, but at least these are two rarities, played in a delightful opera house, interestingly cast and designed by the brilliant Lez Brotherston.

Julia, Queen Elizabeth Hall (071 928 8800), 20, 22 August. Opera Factory's Zurich wing presents Rudolf Kelterborn's new chamber opera, with a libretto based on Romeo and Juliet by producer David Freeman.

The Fiery Angel, Royal Albert Hall (071 823 9998), 22 August. A Proms concert performance of Prokofiev's riveting and red-hot opera about demonic possession (to be staged at Covent Garden in 1992). A strong cast is led by Sir Edward Downes, conducting the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Rupert Christiansen

EXHIBITIONS

Saved for Scotland: Works Acquired with the Help of the NACF, National Gallery of Scotland, 8 August-29 September. From collections all over Scotland, includes paintings by Velazquez, Van Gogh, Stubbs, El Greco and William Blake, sculpture by Bernini and Barlach, ceramics and glass.

Group Exhibition, Francis Graham- Dixon Gallery, ECL till 31 August. This gallery has a stable of interesting artists — look out for the painterly abstraction of Mali Morris, Geoffrey Ridgen and Clyde Hopkins. One of the better mixed summer shows.

David Smith: Medals for Dishonour, Museum of Modern Art Oxford, till 29 September. Another chance to see this anti-war series made 1937-40 by an artist who was never again to work figuratively.

The New Contemporaries, ICA,, The Mall, till 18 August. Selected from 1,200 young artists — some good ones may have got through. A chance to make a personal discovery. Tanya Harrod

MUSIC

Leading festivals this month include: Arundel (21 August- 1 September); Buxton (till 11th); Darlington (till 24th); Harrogate (till 8th); King's Lynn (till 3rd); Lake District Summer Music (3-17 August); Three Choirs, at Hereford (18-23 August).

Highlights at the Proms this month include: the NYO and Yuri Bashmet playing Walton's Viola Concerto (3rd); Finnish Radio SO playing Sibelius and Mahler (9th and 10th); Roshdestvensky conducting the BBC SO and the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir in Dvorak's The Spectre's Bride (16th); Glyndebourne Festival Opera performing Mozart's La clemenza di Tito (25th); Berlin Philharmonic under Abbado (26th).

The 1791 Weekend: An Exploration of Mozart's Last Year will take place at the QEH on 31 August and 1 September under the direction of Roger Norrington: highly recommendable series of talks, discussion and concerts around the central theme. Peter Phillips

CRAFTS

Karl Friedrich Schinkel: A Universal Man, V & A, till 27 October. Architect patronised by Kings of Prussia built greatest public buildings in Berlin and designed ceramics, furniture, glass and textiles.

Mosaic: The Constructed Image, Leighton House, W14, till 10 August. Four artists working in this ancient medium reveal its potential for public art.

'Lot's Wife', mosaic in sinalti, marble and granite, by Elaine M. Goodwin Sophie MacCarthy, Oxford Gallery, 5 August-4 September. Handsome bowls and plates decorated with a light-hearted confidence. Tanya Harrod

THEATRE

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Olivier (071 928 2252), 8 August. Tony Sher leads a revival of Brecht's satire on the rise of Hitler. Di Trcvis directs and the translation is by Ranjit Bolt — a promising sign.

Uncle Vanya, Lyric Hammersmith (081 741 2311), 14 August. Richard Briers leads in this touring production of Chekhov's fine play by the Renaissance Theatre Company.

Travelling Tales, Playhouse (071 839 4401), 26 August. Another evening of impersonation and wit by the talented John Sessions. Christopher Edwards

CINEMA

August is the month for children's fodder. The Rocketeer, a Disney film set in 1938, stars Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton and Alan Arkin. A daredevil stunt flier takes on Nazi spies and American G-men when a secret rocket pack is left in his plane.

Nothing but Trouble (12). Dan Ackroyd, Chevy Chase, Demi Moore in comedy about some rich travellers who find themselves in a hick town at the mercy of a fanatical 106-year-old Justice of the Peace.

Then for adults: Everybody's Fine (12), with Marcello Mastroianni and Michele Morgan, by the director of Cinema Paradiso. An elderly Sicilian travels around Italy visiting his children. Subtitles.

Harriet Waugh

GARDENS

Indefatigable garden visitors have to search about to find somewhere to spend their Sundays in August, as many public-spirited garden owners take a well-earned holiday then. Those who like to keep abreast of the new varieties of hardy and half-hardy annuals, and who do not fear bright colours, will enjoy visiting the trial grounds of Colegrave's, the wholesale seed merchants in Milton Road, West Adderbury, near Banbury, on Sunday, 11 August (11-5). Many of the varieties to be seen are on trial before being introduced to seed catalogues. Proceeds go to the National Gardens Scheme and RNLI. Ursula Buchan

POP MUSIC

Reading Festival, Little John's Farm, Reading, 23-25 August. Perhaps the weirdest thing about the Reading Festival is that it still exists. I remember not wanting to go to it back in the mid-Seventies, and sadly this year I shall miss it again. Amongst the attractions: Iggy Pop, Sisters of Mercy, James, The Fall and the wondrously named Ned's Atomic Dustbin.

Guns 'n' Roses, Wembley Stadium, 31 August. For even more basic entertainment, the world's most popular heavy rock band are finally making their big-time British debut in a world tour that was meant to coincide with their new album — if only they'd managed to finish it in time, Still, the nation's adolescents will be cock-a-hoop, so steer well clear of NW London for the duration. Marcus Berkmann

DANCE

Birmingham Royal Ballet, Covent Garden (071 240 1066), till 10 August. Ashton's superb La Fille Mal Gard& and a triple bill of lnscape and a welcome revival of Ashton's Jazz Calendar.

English National Ballet, Festival Hall (071 928 8800), till 17 August. A season of full-length ballets, featuring the exquisite Kirov star Yelena Pankova. Deirdre McMahon