There's a good story in here with some strong elements but they're somewhat out of place. As someone not familiar with the opera world or Venice's place in it, I felt like I needed more of a handle before I was ready to be launched into the heart of the story. There's some interesting historic, literary and musical background in the middle of the piece that I could have used at the beginning. When the narrator mentions that Elton John played at the Teatro la Fenic, I was waiting to hear "Crocodile Rock." Where have you gone Savvy Traveler? Is there an outlet for travel pieces on public radio now? Maybe stations need to create their own....