We went to a couple of performances by the Pittsburgh Opera Center, the Opera Company's training program - Brecht and Weill's Threepenny Opera and Bizet's Carmen. I loved the way both of these (very different) performances were staged, with very creative use of small spaces/stages and basic props and costumes. The voices were strong and the music was good and the whole thing was intimate and stunning, both times. And both performances had a good amount of humor in them, too. 5 stars.
I also saw the Opera Company proper perform Tosca and Cosi Fan Tutti, but these were less remarkable. I think I might have actually disliked certain performers and the costumes and sets were borrowed design from other companies. I think you can feel it when it's not a complete production. 3 stars.