1.   Such sentiments are indeed understandable in a country where for well over a century the operatic tradition had been dominated by foreigners.

2.   The operatic tradition, never strong in England, had weakened everywhere.

3.   His understanding of the bel canto operatic tradition was gleaned from his studies with the Italian tenor Tito Schipa, one of its great exponents.

4.   It was the dead hand of operatic tradition that undermined the attempt to give opera a contemporary relevance.

5.   The early operatic tradition was much more open to opera lite, including operetta and Neapolitan songs.