1.   Adamo is a wonder of the American opera world.

2.   After Ms. Bartoli became the overnight darling of the opera world, she appeared to be the antithesis of the grand temperamental prima donna.

3.   After World War II, Tagliavini toured Italy performing for American soldiers, whose reports brought him to the attention of the American opera world.

4.   But in the opera world the top singers, directors and conductors often schedule their programs three or four years in advance.

5.   But it is unlikely to happen, given the demand in the opera world for dramatic sopranos.

6.   But she was impatient with the pretentiousness of the opera world and never embraced it fully.

7.   But soon the opera world was clamoring for her Isolde, Electra and Turandot, and she, thank God, obliged.

8.   But the fear that Vilar will make the opera world his personal plaything may be overstated.

9.   But those in the opera world who expected Domingo to be little more than a money magnet have been surprised at his hands-on approach to the Washington job.

10.   But within the opera world, it seems, you can go home again.