Between January and June, at the Teatro Carlo Felice, you can see Genoa Opera perform Verdi or Puccini.

Now excuse me, Radio 4 have an interesting documentary on blind Chinese orphans performing Verdi on instruments made out of old sewing machines on' is ridiculous.

On Feb. 13 and 15, the Teatro de la Opera will perform Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra," with the Puerto Rican baritone Justino Diaz in the title role.

Mr. Fulton often displays a cavalier disregard for the concept of rubato and the idea of rounded phrasing, which in trying to perform Verdi puts him and the entire proceedings at a considerable disadvantage.

Two opera companies in the state - the Connecticut Opera and the Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra - are performing Verdi.

On the opening program will be the San Juan-born bass Justino Diaz performing Verdi and Wagner with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra conducted by its resident director, the Spanish-born Odon Alonso.

"Susan Dunn performs Verdi, Beethoven and Wagner" with the orchestra of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Riccardo Chailly, Polygram Records, 1990.

The Opera will perform Verdi's "Trovatore" on June 16 and Rossini's "Barber of Seville" on June 23; (212) 362-6000.

The city's main opera company, the Frankfurt Opera (Oper der Stadtischen Buhnen), 1-3 Theaterplatz, will perform Verdi's " Traviata" Oct. 11, 13, 18, 24 and 30, and Nov. 3, 16 and 20.

And to drive home that point Mr. Crutchfield and his forces will perform Verdi's seminal "Otello" on July 21.