1.   Opera is known for attracting an eclectic mix of the powerful, the hip and the happening.

2.   For years, the opera was known through the lush orchestration prepared by Rimsky-Korsakov.

3.   For people who know the opera, all the better.

4.   The opera is best known for the simple folk tunes incorporated into the score.

5.   There are also culturally curious people who may not know opera but love theater.

6.   To an England that then hardly knew Mozart opera he brought all the major works, with primarily young singers and aiming at ensemble effect rather than individual stars.

7.   To really appreciate it, you must know the opera well.

8.   When the idea came up, he did not know the opera at all.

9.   In fact, aides say Koo knows the operas so well that he has drawn his political skills from the stories they contain about ancient court disputes and fights.