Now two weeks into 2020, we are starting to see a greater number of opera companies open up their doors and return to business. This week’s five recommendations feature major repertory staples sprinkled in with two rarities – one from the baroque era that comments on today’s Superhero obsessed culture with another more modern composition that looks backward to a history of class divisions and injustice.

Pagliacci – El Paso Opera, New Mexico

Leoncavallo’s famed opera will get two performances on Friday and Saturday at St. Rogers Depot in North Campbell.

King Arthur – Long Beach Opera, California

Long Beach Opera will be reimagining the famed story for a modern audience with the titular character presented as a superhero that must fight to save the world from a supernatural force. The performance will kick off on Sunday, making for a unique experience that should appeal to a wide range of viewers.

La Traviata – Metropolitan Opera, New York

Aleksandra Kurzak appears in the title role in what is bound to be a major Met Opera event. The star soprano will be joined by Dmytro Popov and Quinn Kelsey for the opening performance on Friday, which will be conducted by Karel Mark Chichon.

Mansfield Opera – Opera Modesto, California

Opera Modesto will showcase the U.S. premiere of this orchestrated version of the Jonathan Dove and Alasdair Middleton adaptation of Jane Austen’s most controversial novel. This will be a limited run with just two performances on Saturday and Sunday.

Eugene Onegin – Seattle Opera, Washington

Our Artist of the Week Marina Costa-Jackson takes on the role of Tatiana, sharing it with Marjukka Tepponen, who opens the run on Saturday. John Moore and Michael Adams share the title role while Melody Wilson appears as Olga and Colin Ainsworth takes on Lensky. Aleksandr Markovic conducts a production by Tomer Zvulun. Performances are set for Saturday and Sunday.