Perhaps the best and easiest way to listen to these operas is on youtube. If you search by the title of the opera along with the word “complete,” you’ll have many productions to choose from. These guides break up the music and action into manageable chunks to help familiarize you with the characters and events. Ideally you can even watch and listen without keeping track of the subtitles and still know what’s going on. And if you have favorite sections (arias or duets or choruses), you can search by the title and listen to them over and over and over. (That’s how I do it!) If you have any questions at all, email me at virasly@yahoo.com

Bizet’s CARMEN – a listener’s guide

Leoncavallo’s PAGLIACCI – a listener’s guide

Mascagni’s CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA – a listener’s guide

Verdi’s RIGOLETTO – a listener’s guide

Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE – a listener’s guide

Puccini’s GIANNI SCHICCHI – a listener’s guide

Puccini’s SUOR ANGELICA – a listener’s guide

Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI – a listener’s guide

Puccini’s IL TABARRO – a listener’s guide

Puccini’s MADAMA BUTTERFLY – a listener’s guide

Mozart’s LE NOZZE DI FIGARO – a listener’s guide