Best Opera: Tosca (Cast C)

Best Soprano: Sondra Radvanovsky

Best Tenor: Freddie De Tommaso…

Nozze is an exquisite confection in every respect, and the Met’s delicious revival this season didn’t skimp on the frosting.

In March, Stephen triumphantly returned to the role of Greenhorn in Moby-Dick. He kindly spoke with me in between shows about Moby-Dick, how the trumpet influenced his singing, and what opera shares with Cirque du Soleil.

The vast sea breathes in gentle, rhythmic swells. Twinkling stars wheel overhead, constellating until they form the whaling ship Pequod. This is the seascape in the overture of Jake Heggie’s monumental Moby-Dick.

The Met’s opening night world premiere is one of only three new operas, marking a departure from the six presented only two seasons ago, and bel canto explodes back onto the stage. Here are the six operas I’m most excited about.

New stagings always carry the weight of expectations, but Michael Mayer’s staging has the burden of replacing one of the Met’s most beloved productions. It’s finally here, and quite remarkable. Hang on to your amulets!