You've probably heard how all three original stars dropped out of the Metropolitan Opera's new "Tosca" and how the conductor had to be replaced twice. But did you know about the flap over the angel's wings? A replica of the bronze statue of Archangel Michael that stands on the roof of Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo sword in hand was supposed to dominate designer John MacFarlane's third-act set for Puccini's melodrama.

But dominate it didn't — at first. "When it came onstage last summer we looked at it and we said, 'Too small!'" MacFarlane said in an interview. "Which was absolutely terrifying considering the costs involved. It was one of these moments where the sweat is coming out of your brow."