Missed "The Magic Flute"? Don't panic, the Met's got you covered.

Many opera companies stream live performances or post excerpts online, but the Metropolitan Opera goes one step further with Met Player. This new online subscription service was developed with POP as a technology partner, and offers 13 high definition videos, 37 historical TV performances, and 120 radio broadcasts, all delivered on demand through Internet streaming.

With operas dating from 1937 to today, this is a chance to watch classic performances such as Maria Callas in “Lucia di Lammermoor” or a rare full-length recording of Rosa Ponsella in “Carmen”. This new initiative builds on the Met’s already impressive array of online audio and video tools, which includes regular live transmissions of performances to select movie theaters, live streaming each week, plus a channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Met Player is a much more ambitious extension of previous electronic offerings, allowing users to choose tracks, mark favorite operas, fast-forward or backward and put the image into full-screen mode. There are also links to synopses and related articles from the Met web site.

Users are able to sign-up for monthly or yearly subscriptions or just watch a single opera for a one-off fee. You can also check out one of three free arias or register for a 7-day free trial before committing. Nothing beats the experience of live performance, but it’s good to know you can also enjoy your favorite opera whenever you like!