• 
  La Bohème
• 
  The Barber of Seville
• 
  Le Comte Ory
• 
  The Magic Flute
• 
  Don Pasquale
• 
  La Traviata
• 
  Tosca
• 
  Faust
• 
  Rigoletto
• 
  Carmen

1. La Bohème
Probably the world's most popular opera - a Poet and a Seamstress fall in love before jealousy, poverty and illness tear them apart.
Puccini Tragedy (136 mins)

2. The Barber Of Seville
Rossini's comic masterpiece - A rich young nobleman presents himself as a poor student to win the lovely Rosina by love alone. The plot contains disguises, false names etc., so keep an eye on the synopsis. It's almost 3hrs long but the music is excellent from start to finish. Probably the best comic opera, ever. This could be your easiest introduction; it worked for me.
Rossini Comedy (166 mins)

3. Le Comte Ory
Another highly entertaining comic opera from Rossini. Count Ory is determined to leave no stone unturned in his quest to seduce Countess Adèle. He has a rival, his page Isolier, played a woman. Joyce Didonato is brilliant in this so-called 'trouser role'. Great fun!
Rossini Comedy (187 mins)

4. The Magic Flute
An abridged version by the New York Met, designed specifically to introduce both young and old to the world of opera. Speaking as someone who doesn't regard himself as a Mozart fan, it contains some lovely music. Also, there are quite a few laughs as well as smiles. An effort to avoid a bit of confusion: this is not a spoiler but, bearing in mind that Mozart was a Freemason, who do you think the baddy is between the Leader of the Temple, Sarastro, and the Queen of the Night?  Sung in English with optional English subtitles.
Mozart Comedy (112 mins)

5. Don Pasquale
An old bachelor throws out his nephew Ernesto because he won't marry a rich girl. Pasquale then 'takes a wife' to provide an heir. Superstar Anna Netrebko, who specializes in opera's greatest tragic roles, is sensational as Norina, Ernesto's true love. She even pulls on a pair of pink self-supporting stockings. Brilliant. The opera is very good, too! (Lots of smiles here - the most played comedy in my collection.)
Donizetti Comedy (133 mins)

6. La Traviata
Verdi's 'The Fallen One'. A masterpiece! Violetta, a high-class 'courtesan' who is suffering from a serious illness, finally allows herself to fall in love, accepting her suitor, Alfredo. They live in Violetta's house and, unknown to Alfredo, her money is running low. Things take a tragic turn when Alfredo's father asks her to end her relationship with his son. La Traviata begins with a huge party which features the famous 'Drinking Song'. Grand opera from the world's most famous opera house, La Scala.
Verdi Tragedy (134 mins)

7. Tosca
A major critic at the time described it as Puccini's "shabby little shocker". It has everything - love, jealousy, betrayal, politics, religion, murder, suicides, torture, firing squad, sexual blackmail, and the nastiest character in the entire opera repetoire, Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police. Key singers/actors: brilliant Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel (pron. Tervel), Megastar soprano Angela Gheorghiu (pron. Gee-org-you) and the greatest tenor who's ever lived, Jonas Kaufmann (pron. Yoh-nass Cowf-man). It's filled with both beautiful and highly dramatic music. I love it. Please watch the short 'Bonus Feature' before you watch the opera, it'll help you get an early grip on the storyline. Incredibly, considering the content, this opera is just over 2hrs long. It's one of my all-time favourites. Fabulous!
Puccini Tragedy (120 mins)

8. Faust
This is another 3 hour opera. There's some wonderful music in it, but beginners might find it a little challenging on first viewing. Kaufmann plays Doctor Faust who sells his soul to the Devil for youth and young women. Another German Megastar, René Pape (pron. Ren-ay Par-puh.) plays Méphistophélès, the Devil. Will Marguerita join Faust in Hell or, in spite of committing a heinous crime, will she be welcomed into Heaven? (Another 'trouser role': Marguerita's admirer, Siébel is played by a woman.) Top-class music and world-class performances - another huge favourite of mine.
Gounod Tragedy (187 mins)

9. Rigoletto
Leo Nucci (pron. Noo-chee) is brilliant as the hunch-backed jester who assists the lecherous Duke Of Mantova to seduce scores of women. He also delights in making fun of the distraught husbands and fathers. Things change dramatically when The Duke discovers Rigoletto's beautiful daughter! A cracker from Joe Green (Giuseppe Verdi). Some great music (e.g. La Donna E Mobile) but not the easiest Act 1 for your first opera. If you eventually build a collection, you'll want this in it.
Verdi Tragedy (128 mins)

10. Carmen
Lots of well known music in this all-time favourite about the gypsy girl who seduces a corporal away from the girl he was expected to marry.
Bizet Tragedy (152 mins)

Only buy Blu-ray if you have a suitable player.
Watch out for highly priced versions of the same DVD.
Don't forget to read the Synopsis and to switch-on the Subtitles!
If you enjoy a performance, show your appreciation by watching the curtain calls.
If you don't have time to watch the whole thing, watch it Act by Act.

Which ones would I recommend?
1st Comedy: Don Pasquale.   1st Tragedy: La Traviata.   If you want to 'jump in at the deep end', Tosca.
These three are just over 2 hours long - the length of a TV drama.
[ If in doubt ... The Barber of Seville. ]