Opera Matinee

Beethoven's only opera is a testament to courage, fidelity and heroism against forces of tyranny when a woman, Leonore, engages in a risky mission to rescue her husband from false imprisonment, disguised as a young man named Fidelio. A recorded performance from Vienna State Opera, led by Franz Welser-Möst.

Shostakovich's highly dramatic and controversial opera from the 1930s with themes of loneliness and oppression when an unhappy woman enters into an affair that leads to tragedy. A recorded performance from Teatro alla Scala in Milan, conducted by Riccardo Chailly.

One of Handel's major works for the London stage, Ariodante is based on the poem, Orlando Furioso, an expressive and romantic tale of lovers who overcome attempts to tear them apart. This recorded performance from the Paris Opera features Cecilia Molinari in the title role.

Aida is Verdi's epic work, an emotionally charged tragedy of forbidden love between Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt, and Ramades, an Egyptian military captain. The lovers are members of separate classes and warring nations, each loyal to their countries yet torn by their love for each other. A recorded performance from Paris Opera.

This 1925 opera by Leos Janacek is a drama, a blend of fantasy and reality and time travel, that explores greed and fame that fuels a wish for immortality. A recorded performance by the Royal Opera in London, led by Jakub Hrůša.

Mussorgsky's opera is based on the tragic story of the real-life 17th century Russian tsar whose reign was marked by uncertainty, fear and paranoia about the murder of the real heir apparent to the throne. A recorded performance from the Royal Opera in London, featuring Sir Bryn Terfel in the title role.

Mozart’s light-hearted take on love, marriage and fidelity within the household of the Count Almaviva, along with a scheme to stop the Count in his amorous adventures. A recorded performance by the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, led by Riccardo Minasi.

Always an audience favorite, The Elixir of Love is lighthearted, charming opera buffa, with delightful arias and engaging ensembles pieces in the story of a young man who seeks love with the help of a love potion. A recorded performance of Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, Spain.

Debussy's innovation opera is a mood piece, steeped in sensuality and atmosphere, about a mysterious young woman and her ill-fated love affair with her husband's brother. A recorded performance from La Scala in Milan, conducted by Maxime Pascal.

The Faust legend -- a man, disillusioned by life, makes a bargain with the devil to gain knowledge and power -- is treated in this opera of Charles Gounod, considered to be his masterpiece. A recorded performance from the Bavarian State Opera, conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann.

From Verdi's middle period, this emotional family drama explores a love torn by family and societal obligations based on disparate social classes, as well as malevolent and selfish forces. A recorded performance from Vienna State Opera, starring Nadine Sierra in the title role.

A most Viennese operetta, Die Fledermaus is a cheerful, comic tale, based on French Vaudeville, a fun farce about revenge, suspicion, disguises and two friends who engage in a battle of pranks -- with lots of waltzes. A recorded performance by Vienna State Opera.