Operas... Any fans?

Probably every opera that is regularly performed around the world is worth a listen. Don't forget that Porgy and Bess is an opera as well. For modern stuff, I've always had a liking for John Adam's "Nixon in China".

I seem to appreciate more Italian and French Operas. Don't know why since I don't understand italian at all... They sound more smooth to my ears than German or English operas (which sound more brutal to me).

I totally agree that the singing is very important (that's the main point in Opera I guess) but I just have a hard time with opera which the orchestra sounds miles behind the singers (low dynamics for a lack of a better word)... I agree that the orchestra should be a little away from the singers but I would still like to have a 10th row experience (wide soundstage and very present orchestra without overwelming the singers).

Like I mentionned in my first post, since I'm new to Opera, it is very possible that I'm asking for something that's not possible or just doesn't exist, but it's worth asking...

Thanks again

Without commenting on the quality of the performances themselves, I would suggest that for your purposes Von Karajan might just fit. Many of his recordings were studio recordings and he had his singers standing in front of mic's so the orchestra/vocal blending can be very good. You won't hear footsteps on a creaky wood stage very often in his stuff. Some to consider - Turandot (DG), Aida (Decca), and LaBoheme (London).

A lot of the best opera recordings sound bad (historical, live, mono, etc).

Since you seem to like Puccini and Verdi:

La Boheme
Tosca -- you must hear Callas/diStefano/Gobbi, but it's in mono and sounds awful (by audiophile standards).

La Traviata -- The live Callas/Giulini La Scala is phenomenal, but again, it's in TERRIBLE sound.
Il Trovatore

For French, try Faust.

Wagner's Das Reingold (London, Sir George Solti) is an excellent recording that Stereophile recommended. The music and singing are beautiful:"...the full power and weight of a symphony orchestra are still delivered with tremendous impact." I feel the quality of the recording is very important in opera - you need to hear all the nuances. Nothing compares to a live performance. I saw Das Reingold at the Cincinatti Opera several years ago, the singing was nowhere near the quality of the Solti, but the sound and music were so gorgeous that I didn't care. On the other hand nothing stinks worse than a poorly performed opera.