operas

Mozart's classic comic opera is a tale of romantic rivalry between a lecherous Count and his clever resourceful valet Figaro. The Count, neglecting his wife, pursues Susanna, Figaro's bride-to-be, but after much plotting and counter-plotting by all concerned he is exposed. He asks his wife's forgiveness and Figaro and Susanna are married.

A retelling, based on the 1903 operetta, of the classic story of how two children from Mother Goose Land are pursued into the magical Toyland by an evil uncle who wants to kill them for their fortune.

A merry band of pirates celebrate the coming of age of their apprentice, Frederic. But Frederic has only been a pirate because of his sense of duty. He plans to go to the police and have them arrested. The arrival of Major-General Stanley and his daughters, on a beach outing, changes everything. The police arrive, there is a struggle, bested, the pirates promise to reform. Stanley agrees to let the pirates marry his daughters. Frederic and Mabel are together, at last -- a happy ending.

Prince Tamino must overcome the evil power of the Queen of the Night before the ruler of the Kingdom of Light will award him the hand of the beautiful Pamina.

In 19th century Seville, the lusty, tempestuous Carmen seduces a naive Army corporal, Don Jose. Jose abandons his career, his fiancee and even his dying mother for the love of this sultry gypsy. But soon she spurns him for the love of a toreador, Escamillo. Crazed with jealousy, Jose begs Carmen to return to him, but her taunting declaration of independence results in tragedy.

Presents a retelling of the Greek mythology story of why the seasons change: Demeter, goddess of harvest, becomes so sorrowful when her daughter, Persephone, is stolen by the god of the underworld, that she lets the snow pile up on the world, so that crops wither and die, and spring never comes.

Discusses the background of the opera, synopsis of the plot, music, survey of performances, chronology and major compositions by Puccini.