The New York Metropolitan Opera, the Wiener Staatsoper and the Munich Bayerische Staatsoper

There is debate regarding the legitimacy of comparisons. The perception of what lyrical shows musical and design quality is or should be vary with people. Some consider, with good arguments, that differences in the economic and social environment can also jeopardize comparisons. Clarified comparisons are however of interest.

The book on the Paris Opera compares the scheduling of four opera houses. From 1998 to 2004, years specially studied by the authors, there is a great similarity in the choice of titles which appear most often during the seasons, even though each of the four theatres has its own specificities and traditions.