The notion of going to see a familiar opera is at its worst when it is like putting on a familiar pair of old carpet slippers.

For admirers of the bel canto style, it was also an occasion to celebrate the City Opera's tradition of exploring rarities, neglected works and unusual editions of familiar operas.

At the opening on Friday, I found the new version both off-putting and seductive, like a new production of a familiar opera.

One of the most familiar operas in the repertory comes across like the audacious work of musical drama it was when new.

If not, familiar operas like Verdi's "Rigoletto" can come across as checklists, bills of goods to be filled.

The New York City Opera has many different fires to tend: the pursuit of unusual and challenging repertory is one; new directorial looks at more familiar operas constitute another.

The more familiar opera on the double bill, Mascagni's best-known work, is the less gory.

Here was one of the world's most familiar operas.

The Group has continued this practice since, mainly with the purpose of reviving neglected operas and lesser known versions of more familiar operas.

That wouldn't have fulfilled conventional wisdom, which is that high society likes its opening-night operas short and familiar.