Since its inception in 1883, the Metropolitan Opera has been regarded as one of the leading opera houses of the world. Today, under artistic director James Levine, its position rests on the same elements that historically established its global reputation: the quality of its performances, the number of the world's greatest artists on its roster, its financial and technical resources, and its artistic standards. Here's a list of this season's productions, along with our recommendations of available recordings. For more information on the Met and how to order tickets, call (212) 362-6000 or visit their Web site at www.metopera.org.

Arnold Schoenberg, Moses und Aron
December 8, 11, 15, 18, 1999
Charles Mackerras, conductor;
Andrea Rost, Frank Lopardo, Paul Plishka, et al.

Gaetano Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor
November 18, 23, 27; December 2, 1999
James Levine, conductor;
Barbara Frittoli, Plácido Domingo, James Morris, et al.

Giuseppe Verdi, Otello
November 20, 1999
Carlo Rizzi, conductor;
Deborah Voigt, Fabio Armiliato, et al.

Giuseppe Verdi, Aida
November 19; December 18, 1999; January 1, 5, 8, 2000
Daniel Oren, conductor;
Elizabeth Holleque, Luciano Pavarotti, Juan Pons, et al.

Giacomo Puccini, Tosca
December 7, 10, 16, 21, 25, 1999
Edo de Waart, conductor;
Hong, Graham, Evans, Croft, Furlanetto, et al.

W. A. Mozart, Le Nozze di Figaro
November 20, 24, 27; December 1, 4, 1999; February 16, 19, 22, 26, 2000
Mark Elder, conductor;
Veronica Villarroel, Richard Leech, Samuel Ramey
Arrigo Boito, Mefistofele (New Production)

November 22, 26, 29; December 3, 6, 11, 14, 18, 1999
James Levine, conductor;
Jane Eaglen, Ben Heppner, et al.

Richard Wagner, Tristan und Isolde (New Production)
November 30; December 4, 9, 13, 17, 22, 1999
Evelino Pidň, conductor;
Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, et al.

Gaetano Donizetti, L'Elisir d'Amore
December 20, 23, 29, 1999; January 1, 4, 7, 12, 15, 2000
James Levine, conductor;
Dawn Upshaw, Susan Graham, Jerry Hadley, et al.

John Harbison, The Great Gatsby (World Premiere)
December 24, 27, 30, 1999; January 3, 8, 11, 15; April 6, 10, 14, 18, 21, 2000
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor;
Sumi Jo, Paolo Gavanelli, Marcelo Alvarez, et al.

Giuseppe Verdi, Rigoletto
December 31, 1999
Patrick Summers, conductor;
Vaness, Norberg-Schulz, Kowalski, Allen, et al.

Millennium Gala Die Fledermaus, Act II
January 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 29; February 11, 14, 18, 23, 26; March 1, 4, 2000
Marcello Viotti, conductor;
Sylvie Valayre, Vladimir Galouzine, et al.

Giacomo Puccini, Madama Butterfly
January 13, 17, 21, 25, 28; February 2, 5, 9, 12; March 2, 6, 11, 2000

Roberto Abbado, conductor;

Cristina Gallardo-Domas, Roberto Aronica, et al.

Giuseppe Verdi, La Traviata
January 20, 24, 29; February 1, 5, 10, 2000
James Levine, conductor;
Fleming, Graham, Murphy, et al.

Richard Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier
January 27, 31; February 4, 8, 12, 15, 19, 2000
James Levine, conductor;
Swenson, Mentzer, Shikoff, Terfel, et al.

Jacques Offenbach, Les Contes d'Hoffmann
February 3, 7; March 28; April 1, 25; May 2, 2000
James Levine, conductor;
Polaski, Voigt, Elming, Morris, et al.

Richard Wagner, Die Walküre
February 17, 21, 25, 28; March 4, 7, 10, 16, 18, 2000
Andrew Davis, conductor;
Frederica von Stade, Plácido Domingo, et al.

Franz Lehár, The Merry Widow (New Production)
February 24, 29; March 3, 8, 11, 15, 2000
Bruno Campanella, conductor;
Larmore, Giménez, Corbelli, et al.

Gioachino Rossini, La Cenerentola
March 9, 14, 18, 21, 25, 30, 2000
Valery Gergiev, conductor;
Malfitano, Galouzine, Baker, Saks

Dmitri Shostakovich, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
March 13, 17, 20, 23, 27, 31; April 4, 7, 12, 2000
Bruno Campanella, conductor;
Oprisanu, Kelly, Braun, Plishka, Silins, et al.

Gioachino Rossini, Il Barbiere di Siviglia
March 22, 25; April 24; May 1, 2000
James Levine, conductor;
Morris, Clark, Wlaschiha, Hong, et al.

Richard Wagner, Das Rheingold
March 24, 29; April 1, 5, 8, 11, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29; May 5, 2000
Marco Armiliato, conductor;
Vaduva, Arteta, Lopardo, Keenlyside et al.

Giacomo Puccini, La Bohčme
April 3, 8, 13, 17, 20, 2000
James Levine, conductor;
Dawn Upshaw, Dwayne Croft, et al.

Claude Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande
April 15, 27; May 4, 2000
TBA

Richard Wagner, Siegfried
April 22, 29; May 6, 2000
TBA