I had read some negative comments about the staging of this production. On the contrary, I found the staging interesting and creative. Singing was first rate. Sound quality at the theatre was a bit tinny, and I think the high volume may have had something to do with that. Turn the volume down a bit for the next 3 operas. Of concern to me was the appearance of James Levine, perhaps my single greatest hero in the musical field. This opera was performed several months ago. Levine had lost a lot of weight, to the point of looking frail and not well. I'm not aware of any public appearances he had made lately.