Admittedly, this hasn't been the greatest year for classical music in the area, with both professional orchestras shut down due to lockouts. That does not diminish the accomplishments of the Minnesota Opera one bit, however. The company has gone from strength to strength over the past year, presenting a mix of innovative takes on classic pieces (last year's Werther comes to mind) and new works that remind audiences that opera is still very much alive as an art form. That includes the recent world premiere of Doubt, the adaptation of the award-winning drama that heightened the tension of the original play with a score that was unrelenting in intensity and darkness. In a time when being conservative is usually seen as the way to success, it's thrilling that our local opera company is not just willing but eager to take chances.