Placido Domingo

Operalia is one of the most prestigious opera competitions in the world

Opera is about so much more than vocally gifted people singing in a foreign language — the genre has notched up a few scandals and interesting titbits in its 400-plus years.

Twenty-three days, 16 countries, 31 matches and countless events, concerts and exhibits are sure to keep fans busy during the European football championships in Austria and…