Unlike "Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD", which is broadcast in real time, very few telecast operas were shown live, as is presumed. Beginning in April, 1980, nearly all of them were taped in front of a live audience at the Met, and telecast months later, although the title "Live from the Met" was retained until the late 1980s, when it became "The Metropolitan Opera Presents". (In contrast, the "Live from Lincoln Center" programs are always live.)
Opera lovers, rejoice! If you can't make it to New York to see a performance at the Metropolitan Opera, the next best thing to being there is to see one of its Saturday matinees broadcast on PBS. Originally aired as part of its "Great Performances" series, the programs got their own title in 2006. With operatic standards like "Aida," "The Barber of Seville" and "Turandot," and performances by some of opera's biggest names, including Reneé Flemming, Placido Domingo and Anna Netrebko, the series brings the best of modern opera into American homes.