Ambroise Thomas Revitalizes Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'

In a colorful, French opera, Prince Hamlet lives to see another day

Stealing a Little Thunder: 'The Barber of Seville'

Familiar ground proves fertile territory for Rossini

Psychological Slow Burn: Debussy's 'Pelléas and Mélisande'

A perilous love story that ratchets up the operatic intensity

Revisiting an Old Story, in Puccini's "Manon Lescaut"

An Italian master challenges a hit from France

Destiny Takes Command: Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino'

Verdi's relentless drama of politics, passion and revenge demands a top-notch ensemble cast. This production from Geneva delivers, and the Suisse Romande Orchestra shines in what may be Verdi's most famous overture.

Anguish Becomes Grace, in Janacek's 'Jenufa'

Janácek was in his sixties, at an age when many are enjoying retirement, when the surprise success of Jenufa first brought him widespread fame. The opera is an undoubted masterpiece, telling a disturbing, yet strangely inspiring story of multiple betrayals, gruesome murder and ultimate, if unlikely, forgiveness.

Honoring the Bard: Verdi's 'Otello'

Verdi plays a starring role in the Shakespeare Quadricentennial

An Overshadowed Original: Rossini's 'Otello'

Rossini's tragedy beat Verdi to the punch by 70 years

Exotic Settings and a Blockbuster Aria, in Puccini's 'Turandot'

Puccini's final opera -- a masterpiece left incomplete

The Bard Goes to the Opera: Verdi's 'Macbeth'

The "Scottish Play," and Verdi's unique genius for adapting Shakespeare

An Epic Spin-Off: Handel's 'Alcina'

Handel's spirited contribution to an operatic franchise.

Literature Meets Biography, in Godard's 'Dante'

A little-known opera, inspired by a literary legend.

Venice Takes a Lead Role in 'I Due Foscari'

Domingo stars in one of Verdi's darkest dramas

An Early, Operatic Gem: Cavalli's 'Veremonda'

A bawdy drama by one of early opera's greatest masters.

An Opera in Exile: Verdi's 'Un Ballo en Maschera'

A steamy drama crosses an ocean to escape the censors