In fourth-century Egypt, a Christian monk sets out to convert a courtesan – all too successfully, as she finds God and he chucks his faith to declare his love for her. (For sensational plots, you really can’t beat opera – although, to be fair, the real-life Saint Thaïs inspired Anatole France, whose novel in turn inspired French composer Jules Massenet.) Soprano Nicole Heaston sings the title character in Austin Opera’s staging, a co-production with Spoleto Festival USA, with baritone Troy Cook performing Athanaël, the monk undone by lust. Top-notch vocal talent aside, Thaïs’ most famous stretch of music is entirely instrumental – Act II’s transcendent “Méditation.” – Kimberley Jones
