Despitethe popular success of the Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" series, opera's grandworld of soaring sopranos and breathtaking baritones--of tragic Rigoletto, triumphal Sigmund, and desperate Orfeo, of faithful Figaro, heartbroken Pagliacci,and lusty Don Giovanni--remains wrapped in an aura of impenetrable esotericism.Piercing this veil of opera's perceived inaccessibility, acclaimed classicalmusic critic Robert Levine extends a witty and insightfulinvitation to enjoy opera in Weep, Shudder, Die, offering a newgeneration of aficionados a priceless way to access to music's greatest achievement.