There's an innocuous little moment in the iconic New York film "Moonstruck" that sticks with me every time I see it: Cher’s character, Loretta, asks “Where’s the Met?”  It’s silly, I know, but as a long-time opera-lover, it makes me sad: how does this New Yorker know nothing about the Metropolitan Opera?

For those of you who have put off going to the Met because of its perceived expense or snobbishness, here are some things you should know:  tickets start at around $35 for a seat, and standing room tickets are even cheaper; if you're still in school, you can also join the Met Opera Students program for discounts.  You don't need to wear a tux or evening gown -- you'll see plenty of people in jeans.  And there's no need to worry about deciphering any foreign language yourself: they have screens for translations built into the backs of seats, so the text is right in front of you if you want it, in your choice of English, Spanish, or German, plus Italian for all Italian operas.

If you want to give it a try, here are the top 5 shows this season that will definitely be worth your time and money:

1) Verdi’s "Rigoletto"

You probably already know some of the music in this one from pasta or pizza commercials. "Rigoletto" is generally a crowd-pleaser from start to finish. It’s a great show for beginners and the Met debuted a new modern production last season (changing the setting from 16^th-century Mantua to 1960 Las Vegas) that's supposed to be fun to watch. They also have a solid cast lined up for this season, including Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Aleksandra Kurzak, and Matthew Polenzani.

Here’s baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky singing Rigoletto’s big aria in concert a few years ago.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OIm3VpXDJs[/youtube]

2) Bellini’s "Norma"

"Norma" has lots of very catchy, melodic music. The libretto is also great: everything you love about your favorite soap opera or reality show, just sung in Italian. Don’t believe me? When Norma’s friend Adalgisa confesses she’s been having an affair with the man who is also Norma’s secret lover and father of her secret children (yes, really), she tells him: “Do you tremble? And for whom? For whom do you tremble? Oh, do not tremble, perfidious man, no, do not fear on her account! She is not to blame: you are the guilty one! Tremble for yourself, villain, and for your son! Tremble for me, villain!"

Here’s a classic clip of the great Maria Callas showing you how that little excerpt of text goes

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTVhhap1Tw[/youtube]

3) Britten's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

You've probably read the Shakespeare original or seen the movie with Michelle Pfeiffer, so you already know the story. That’s half the battle right there! Now, you can have the fun of experiencing it in a new medium.

This is not a spaghetti and meatballs kind of opera, so by trying it out you are being really brave and fabulous. Plus, you'll find yourself in an audience full of Benjamin Britten and Shakespeare fans: listening in on their conversations during intermission will be an extra-fun (and possibly educational) part of your evening’s entertainment.

Here’s a clip from a Baz Luhrman production from Australia:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2kdwGS-05A[/youtube]

4) Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier"

This can be a tough one because it’s sort of long and some of the best stuff (not just in this opera but in all operas ever) is at the very end -- so you can’t cheat and leave early. But I promise that you won't want to: this has some of the most gleaming, gorgeous, resplendent music you will ever hear, and to experience it in person is really something else. You can lean your head back and let this music wash right over you until you are left quietly weeping, wondering how this happened to you and how you got there and how you’ll get home. (Hint: the 1 train.)

As a bonus, the sets and costumes for this one are an event unto themselves and there is also a really funny scene with a girl dressed as a boy dressed as a girl trying to fake-seduce and trick a gross old guy.

Here are some great singers doing the final scene back in 1984:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmvQAtZSzXA[/youtube]

5) Massenet's "Werther"

Jonas Kaufman, a German tenor, will be singing the title role. I’m going to be a bit shallow for a moment - just look at that face!

But it’s not just that. He’s gorgeous, yes, but he’s also a wonderful singer and a terrific actor; seeing him live feels like a real event. "Werther" is a deeply romantic, deeply tragic French opera and Kaufman is expected to kill it.

Here’s Kaufmann singing a bit of Werther at the Paris Opera in 2010:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9f5L9dL2VQ[/youtube]