The Gran Teatro in Havana, at Calles Prado and San Rafael (Tel. 61-2360), has two main concert halls and puts on a wide repertoire of entertainment, from opera recitals to ballet.

An opera recital on Aug. 21 features the soprano Angela Gheorghiu and the tenor Roberto Alagna.

I cannot stand on that stage except to sing a legitimate opera recital.

"Preparing for an opera recital!"

The programme included music-hall turns with opera recitals, temperance meetings, and, from 1882, lectures every Tuesday by eminent scientists.

The opera recital with the chamber orchestra Accademia Bizantina contained works of Handel and Purcell, such as Handel's Rodelinda, Purcell's King Arthur, closing with the final love duet "Caro!

Meanwhile opera recitals in San Telmo and other bohemian neighborhoods in and around Buenos Aires have become virtually nightly affairs.

She retired from the stage in 1996 but continued to give concerts and opera recitals with a repertoire that includes opera arias, sacred arias, oratorio, lied to tango, zarzuelas and film music.

Nor was I able to arrange a trip to Venice as I had wanted, so I stayed in the city, and on Saturday night I went to an opera recital in the Villa Doria.

The next day he invited her to an opera recital and they haven't been apart since.