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CINDERELLA (La Cenerentola) (Rossini)

Once upon a time, a very sweet, good-natured girl nick-named Cinderella, lived with her foolish stepfather and her two jealous half-sisters, who treated her badly and kept her in rags. A handsome prince in search of a wife gave a ball to which only two of the three girls were invited... Rossini in sparkling mood.
Feb. 27, 28; Mar. 7

HALKA (Moniuszko)

The other masterpiece by the composer of last season's buoyant The Haunted Manor, similar in its luscious melody rich with the flavor of Poland, but far different in effect. A heartrending tale of misplaced love, somewhat akin to the ballet Giselle. Were it in French or Italian it would no doubt be universally known and loved as one of the great operas of the 19th century.
Mar. 27, 28; Apr. 3

LA RONDINE (The Swallow) (Puccini)

A lyric comedy whose charming heroine, trapped in the luxurious glitter and corruption of Paris, finds momentary repose in the ideal love that she has always dreamed of. Puccini's sumptuous style, in somewhat lighter vein, at times reminiscent of Viennese operetta.
Apr. 24; May 9

RINALDO (Handel)

Handel unravels the Middle-East and sews it back together again with a solution undreamed of by modern diplomats. Handel once again at his invigorating, awe-inspiring best.
May 22; Jun. 5

LA VIE PARISIENNE (Offenbach)

A joyous paean to the City. Tourists and native alike on a madcap pleasure binge as the high and the lowly switch places. A wild ride on a merry-go-round sparked by Offenbach's wickedly intoxicating melodies.
Jun. 6, 12, 13, 19

LA TRAVIATA (Verdi)

A pleasure-loving lady of questionable morality is transformed when she unexpectedly finds true love, with tragic yet glorious consequences, for which lovers of memorable melody are eternally grateful.
Jul. 10, 11, 17, 18