Stafford Dean and Catherine Malfitano analyze their characters in "The Marriage of Figaro" and aspects of opera. They also discuss their upbringings, musical influences, and the future of opera. The original show opened with a recording of the Overture from "The Marriage of Figaro", which has been removed from this recording for copyright reasons.

Studs interviews Rita Streich, and they discuss the meaning of some of her operas and lieds. Streich names Erna Berger and Maria Ivogun as her best teachers, and she speaks a little about her family. Studs and Streich read part of the poem, "The Nut Tree" by Robert Schuman. Streich reads a part of "Brahms Lullaby" and "Shepherd On the Rock" by Franz Schubert. She also discusses the difference between opera in her day compared to opera at the time of the interview. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Renee Fleming discusses her musical upbringing, her repertoire, her relationship to performance, and more.

Studs Terkel interviews opera singers, Carol Neblett and Richard Stillwell, as members appearing in the Lyric Opera production of "Don Giovanni". They discuss their characters, Elvira and Don. Carol Neblett and Richard Stillwell discuss their careers.

Barbara Hendricks discusses her career, music education, and opera. Includes a clip of Jennie Tourel's voice.