Both sides of the metroplex are generating new operas — but in different ways. And the big beneficiary has been Jake Heggie, composer of Moby-Dick.

Composer Jake Heggie continues his long-running ties to North Texas — and this time, he’s bringing renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato with him.

Today in the roundup: How school cuts affect arts groups, Pegasus Theatre’s hit and how Hugo is like an opera.

Today in the roundup: Remembering past Nutcrackers, looking at art during a Cowboys game and bringing opera to the kids.

Beautiful music and a story with tragic consequences. Lucia Di Lammermoor closes this weekend, and here’s your chance to see it for free.

Today in the roundup: Fort Worth Opera pays up, Dallas Opera cashes in and Joan Rivers is addicted to laughs.

Today in the roundup: Kelly Clarkson and her fans, backstage at the Dallas Opera and the many, many cows on locally shot TV shows.

Are you headed out to catch the free simulcast of the Dallas Opera’s Lucia Di Lammermoor tonight? Italian baritone Luca Grassi makes his U.S. debut, which the opera offers a sneak peek of in this video.

It’s the 30th year since the discovery of AIDS, and in an unprecedented collaboration, some 200 Dallas-area artists will perform Dec. 6 at the Winspear in a benefit for area AIDS service organizations.

Today in the roundup: The Dallas Opera’s guiding light, the trickiness of comedy on stage and the Amon Carters’ dedication to research.