Abstract: Humperdinck's charming opera based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. The story features a gingerbread house, a wicked old witch, and a young brother and sister who get lost in the woods and trapped by the witch. With a little help from on High and their own pluck and courage they manage to save themselves as well as all the children who were previously victims of the witch.

Abstract: The story of two lovers who are separated, then pursued by her brother who is convinced that they are responsible for her father's death. The story is based on the premise that fate is inexorable, that there is no free choice.

Abstract: James Levine conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and chorus in a magnificent performance of Verdi's opera. In Italian.

Abstract: Giacomo Puccini's La BohTme comes to life at the Metropolitan Opera in this performance captured live in March of 1977 and featuring The Metropolitan Opera and Chorus under the conduction of James Levine. Renata Scotto and Maralin Niska star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Abstract: A presentation of Handel's opera, a complex love story set in Persia. The plot revolves around the competition between Serse, King of Persia, and his brother, Arsamene, over the love of Romilda. Although Serse is betrothed to the princess Amastre, he falls in love with Romilda and attempts to win her away from his brother. Romilda's sister, Atalanta, also in love with Arsamene, thickens the plot by purposely misleading the thwarted lovers in the hope of gaining Arsamene for herself.

Abstract: Rossini's adaptation of the classic Cinderella story features the Orchestra E Coro del Teatro All Scala, with Frederica von Stade in the title role.

Abstract: This 1967 performance of Verdi's sacred masterpiece features four of the 20th century's greatest Verdi singers--Container.

Abstract: The celebrated Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli collaborated with the great tenor Plácido Domingo for these two films, which bring a pair of classic operas to life. Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci features Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni's one-act opera starring Domingo as Turiddu, who returns from a hitch in the army to discover that his sweetheart, Lola (Axelle Gall), has taken up with another man; to make her jealous, he begins courting the peasant Santuzza (Elena Obraztsova), not aware that she's genuinely in love with him. Also featured on this release is Ruggiero Leoncavallo's masterpiece Pagliacci, in which Domingo plays Canio, an actor with a jealous streak who learns that his worst fears about his wife, Nedda (Teresa Stratas), are true, and that she's been unfaithful to him with two different men. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide