It’s a crowded weekend and thus a major challenge to select from the numerous options. The five here were our favorites, but by all means, head over to the other companies not listed here and check out the opera offerings they have. There were truly more than we could imagine.

Here are our picks, in alphabetical order by company.

Houston Grand Opera – Norma

Liudmyla Monastyrka, our Artist of the Week, takes on the role of Norma for the first time in Houston. And if that weren’t enough to get you to Houston, Jamie Barton will be taking on her signature Adalgisa in a cast that also includes Chad Shelton as Pollione and Peixin Chen as Oroveso. Patrick Summers conducts; performances start on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Livermore Opera – Three Decembers

A Jake Heggie opera is one reason to go to the theater at any point. But the fact that this particular work will be headlined by Frederica Von Stade is the clincher. The work will be showcased on Saturday and Sunday with audiences also encouraged to buy a dinner with the superstar and her co-stars.

Madison Opera – Florencia en Las Amazonas

Soprano Elizabeth Caballero returns to a role she dominated in New York City a few years back. This is her third run of the opera and audiences will get to see this tremendous talent on both Saturday and Sunday.

Metropolitan Opera – Roméo et Juliette

Ailyn Pérez is one of the formidable opera talents today and her Juliette has been one of her touchstone interpretations for many years. This run will continue on Friday in a performance that will also feature Charles Castronovo as Roméo.

OperaDelaware – Puccini Festival

OperaDelaware opens its Puccini Festival with performances on Saturday and Sunday. The first evening will showcase the first two-thirds of “Il Triticco” with “Gianni Schicchi coming the second night. The comedy will be paired with “Buoso’s Ghost,” a sequel by Michael Ching. “Il Tabarro” and “Suor Angelica” will star Eleni Calenos, Matthew Vickers, Grant Youngblood, and Alissa Anderson, while the two comedies will star Sean Anderson, Sara Duchovnay, and Kirk Dougherty.