Opera: Wozzeck

Austrian composer Alban Berg was the most romantic of the Schoenberg twelve-tone serialists, though his opera Wozzeck is still an incredibly intense experience. If you're not familiar with atonal music you might be caught a tad off-guard by the lack of a tonal centre in Berg's music, but the compositions are fascinating and melodic compared to many other early 20th century avant-garde composers. The story lays bare the suffering of the poor and certainly doesn't lack a healthy dose of drama. A must-see for music and opera lovers.