A Subtle Sequel: Rossini's 'The Turk in Italy'

Rossini takes his own comic hit and turns it inside out

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

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

Getting an Early Start: Mozart's 'La Finta Semplice'

Mozart finally writes his first opera -- at age 12!

Seductive Deception: Donizetti's 'Don Pasquale'

Donizetti wrote any number of irresistible comedies, including The Elixir of Love and The Daughter of the Regiment, and this sparkling score may be the best of them all. From Vienna, acclaimed veteran Juan Diego Florez does a star turn alongside the captivating young Romanian soprano, Valentina Nafornita.

Mozart's Masonic Mystery: 'The Magic Flute'

There's symbolism to spare in Mozart's sublime comedy.

Puritan Love: Bellini's 'I Puritani'

True believers, passion and madness, in Bellini's lyrical classic

Grand Opera's Ultimate Spectacle: 'La Juive'

The first of this quarter's three shows from Vienna, Halévy's drama premiered at the Paris Opéra in 1835 in what may then have been the most extravagant opera production in history, complete with lavish, period costuming and a phalanx of onstage equestrians.

Storms and Salvation: Wagner's 'The Flying Dutchman'

Unconditional devotion overcomes a legendary curse

A Rare Bird: Bellini's 'The Capulets and the Montagues'

Bellini takes on 'Romeo and Juliet' -- without the help of Shakespeare

Art Imitates Art in 'Goyescas'

Granados pairs with Puccini in a colorful double feature from Turin

A Worthy Contender: Nicolai's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'

Otto Nicolai, a rival of Verdi, takes on Shakespeare's Falstaff

First-Time Perfection: Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro'

A masterpiece that blurs lines, and shatters barriers.

Treacherous Beauty, in Bellini's 'Norma'

A 'bel canto' classic boasting one of opera's most challenging roles

Under the Rainbow: Rossini's 'Tancredi'

A seemingly charmed life turns tragic, in Rossini's early masterpiece

Revolutionary Peril, in Giordano's 'Andrea Chenier'

Giordano's masterpiece is a fervent portrayal of unsettled times