If you can find somebody who has been able to see "nixon in china" or "the death of klinghoffer" then you're a rara avis.

Opera has devolved to popularism. Obviously much opera always was populism, I mean how many drinking songs can you stomach? or, merry widows?

TB isn't romantic unless its mimi dying. Clowns are horrid but tragic. Killer clown movie! no.. its opera son..

But try and stage a modern opera, or an opera which genuinely comes with shocks (Klinghoffer is still sometimes opposed by members of the Jewish community. I can't say I understand this totally, but thats what I read)