By ANTHONY TOMMASINI [NY Times 25 December 2005]

IT'S easy to fault the major institutions in classical music for being stodgy and averse to risk. Yet music lovers count on the leading opera companies and orchestras to be custodians of the repertory. Take the Metropolitan Opera. Recalling the first half of this season, among many rewarding nights, I'll remember James Levine's buoyant and insightful performance of Mozart's "Così Fan Tutte," with a splendid youngish cast that gave you hope for the future of Mozart singing.