From Shakespeare’s Beatrice and Benedict and Nora Ephron’s Harry and Sally to Mascagni’s Suzel and Fritz, there’s a wealth of fun to be had in watching two people fall in love, nudged along by their friends.

Director Julia Burbach, Josh Spero of The Financial Times and John Allison, editor of Opera magazine, join Anna Picard to explore the stereotypes of romantic comedy and verismo opera, the joys and pitfalls of matchmaking, and the charm of L’amico Fritz.