Opera buffs now have a treasure trove of facts, figures, and trivia to peruse online, thanks to the efforts of Metropolitan Opera archivist Robert Tuggle. As reported by Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times, the Met has made publicly available a database containing detailed information on every performance held since the Met's opening in New York City in 1883: close to 26,000 of them. This includes complete lists of casts and performers, photos, reviews, and correspondence. In some cases, excerpts from commercial recordings are included as well.

To use the database go to http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/ and click on the Launch Database button. Here, you can track the careers of favorite performers, or get answers to trivia questions surrounding particular roles and operas. Opera fans worldwide are finding it addictive.

—Andy Breeding

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