Norman has constructed an elaborate defense system, which exaggerates natural anger and exasperation to operatic proportions as a way of dealing with the death he knows is just around the corner.

"The crimes called for a sentence of two to three years but Judge Robinson sentenced Kerik to more than that because of "the almost operatic proportions of this case.

Still, the uncertainties make for a cliffhangar of operatic proportions.

He cut a figure of operatic proportions himself and was lionized wherever he went, befitting both his operatic and gastronomic reputations.

If the festivities were of operatic proportions, that was the point.

A crush of operatic proportions, but conducted pianissimo.

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine said that "the gospel-tinged [song] starts out simply with measured piano and basic drum programming, eventually building to a crescendo of operatic proportions."

Mr. Goerne was not shy about singing at full power, at least at climactic points, and for him full power is of operatic proportions.

Stripped down and free of operatic proportions, the songs had no identity crisis at all.

His indignation, like his girth, is of operatic proportions.