When the Washington National Opera wants to entertain the masses with the gift of free opera, it chooses Porgy and Bess or The Barber of Seville. (Coming up Sept 12.) Easy to follow, lovable. Catchy tunes. So what does the Staatsoper in Berlin offer for its free outdoor performance?

Tristan and Isolde. Yikes. I mean, I hope to be there, but…it’s hardly light entertainment. Well, not that Porgy and Bess is light. I cried at the simulcast on the Mall. But still, it’s got, you know, tunes.