Pierre Monteux, a master of French repertoire, conducts in this 1955 performance of Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffman. This Metropolitan Opera production features an all-star cast that includes Rise Stevens, Richard Tucker, Roberta Peters, and Lucine Amara.

For a generation of opera lovers, Rise Stevens was the Carmen. Her husky, insinuating voice was the embodiment of Bizet's gypsy temptress. Taken from a February 16, 1952 broadcast, this set sees the legendary Fritz Reiner conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus in this unforgettable performance.