When opera lovers start thinking about vital recordings, one in particular is almost always mentioned: EMI's 1953 "Tosca, " with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano and Tito Gobbi in the leading roles and Victor de Sabata conducting.

WSJ: Maria Callas | Puccini's Tosca | The Measure of a Diva | Masterpiece by David Mermelstein

Still, today's opera composers aren't the first to begin thinking outside the box.

NPR: Janacek's 'The Cunning Little Vixen'

Both the Met and City Opera are committing the supreme operatic sin: they are thinking small.

NEWYORKER: Diminuendo