The state of the 2020-21 season is becoming clearer with each passing week, indicating that opera stream could very well remain at the forefront for the foreseeable future. So here are our top 10 operas to stream this week.

And just a reminder to not forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera. We continue to recommend checking out several online shows such as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” “The Sitdown with LB,” hosted by Lawrence Brownlee, and Mark S. Doss’ “Heart and Soul” series on Sunday afternoons.

Cincinnati Opera at 100 – Cincinnati Opera (NOW)

This hour-long televised special will be airing throughout the week. It explores the history of the Cincinnati Opera as it celebrates its centennial. The documentary takes viewers to several historic sites around the city while featuring appearances from such artists as Nicole Cabell, Morris Robinson, and Stephen Costello, among others.

Orfeo – OperaVision / Nederlandse Reisopera (July 7) 

This is likely not for your typical opera-goer, but for those interested in exploring the art form in abstract ways. The work is a mobile installation, designed by artist Lonneke Gordijn, that forms a living organism and accompanies a homogenous group of ten singers and ten dancers permanently on stage.

Lawrence Brownlee in Recital – Los Angeles Opera (July 9)

For those looking for a recital experience, several opera houses are providing that opportunity, Los Angeles Opera being one of them. Lawrence Brownlee will perform music from the Bel Canto repertory as well Schubert and a piece written for him -Tyshawn Sorey’s “Inhale, Exhale.” Pianist Myra Huang will perform alongside Brownlee.

Songs of Love & Longing  – Barcelona Festival of Song (July 9)

Patricia Caicedo and pianist Nikos Stavlas will perform music by Oscar Lorenzo Fernandez, Helza Cameu, Claudio Santoro, Acchile Picchi, Patricia Caicedo, Nicolás Gutierrez, Anna Cazurra, Jaime León, Carlos Guastavino, and Edmundo Villani-Côrtes in the inaugural concert for the Barcelona Festival of Song.

Alzira – Teatro Digital (July 9)

Verdi’s early opera gets a rare streaming opportunity courtesy of a 2018 production from Peru. For those interested in checking out a rare opera from one of the greatest composers in history, this is undoubtedly an opportunity you can’t pass up.

Mozart & Friends – little OPERA theatre of ny (July 9)

This upstart company is showcasing an ambitious performance featuring music from Mozart’s “The Shepherd King,” as well as pieces by Handel, Rameau, and Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The concert features tenor Kameron Ghanavati, tenor Rufus Müller, mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson, music director Elliot Figg, pianist Catherine Miller, violinist Manami Mizumoto, and cellist Syndey ZumMallen.

Eugene Onegin – Metropolitan Opera (July 10)

In one of the finest broadcasts of the last decades, the Met Opera presents Tchaikovsky’s operatic masterwork in a performance featuring Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien. Piotr Beczala stars as Lensky in a performance that is riveting as much for its musical highs as it is for its dramatic ones.

Celebrating the Summer Season – San Francisco Opera (July 10)

In arguably the most exciting performance of the week, the San Francisco Opera will present a three-part gala that features artists such as Michelle Bradley, Louise Alder, Sasha Cooke, Jakub Jósef Orlinski, Russell Thomas, and Mason Bates in music from “Ernani,” “Partenope,” and “The (R)evolutions of Steve Jobs” under the musical direction of Eun Sun Kim.

Eugene Brancoveanu in Recital – San José Opera (July 11)

In our final recital recommendation of the week, Baritone Eugene Brancoveanu will perform Schubert’s “Dichterliebe” alongside pianist Christopher Ray.

Billy Budd – Des Moines Metro Opera (July 12)

Des Moines Metro Opera will stream its 2017 production of Britten’s famed opera with a star-studded cast including Zachary James, Craig Verm, and Roger Honeywell. David Neely conducts a production by Kristine McIntyre.