Zeinab travels to La Scala in Milan, Italy, where most opera singers dream of performing. It has the largest academy in the world attached to a theatre and trains hundreds of young people from countries worldwide every year in all aspects of theatre craft and opera singing. There, she goes behind the scenes to follow four young singers: from Europe, Asia and Latin America as they are put through their paces. She hears the views of their teachers, such as acclaimed former mezzo-soprano Luciana D'Intino and one of the world's leading vocal coaches, Vincenzo Scalera. Zeinab also meets a graduate of the academy, Egyptian-born soprano Fatma Said, who says being there transformed her life.

Zeinab travels to La Scala in Milan, one of the world's most prestigious opera houses, where top singers like the thrilling Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva perform in starring roles. But audiences do not see the army of talent backstage who make sure everything is right on the night. Zeinab goes behind the scenes and visits the vast workshop attached to La Scala Theatre, where technical teams work painstakingly and patiently to deliver stunning sets, backdrops, costumes and props. She meets the groups of creatives involved in staging a complex and traditional opera – La Gioconda by Ponchielli – as the pressure builds up ahead of opening night. We also hear from Yoncheva and her conductor husband, Domingo Hindoyan, about how getting the relationship right between conductor and singer is critical to any opera's success.

Zeinab travels to Munich in Germany to meet the world's top tenor Jonas Kaufmann. He draws legions of adoring fans wherever he performs, is the most bankable opera star, and his appearances are always a sell-out. What makes Kaufmann so unique? Zeinab learns about his journey to global fame from modest beginnings growing up in a housing development in Munich. She hears about the pressures and sacrifices involved in becoming one of the greatest singers in operatic history and the opinions of those who know him best, like his friend and biographer Thomas Voight, on how Kaufmann copes with the high expectations thrust upon him. Kaufmann speaks frankly about his life and career and how it is tough to stay at the top of their game. We also hear his advice for young tenors embarking on their careers and how he believes opera can make itself fit for the future.

Zeinab Badawi travels to Paris to meet one of the most admired, charismatic and flamboyant figures in the world of classical music and opera: the Venezuelan-born conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Zeinab hears how Dudamel is bringing a gust of fresh air, through his youthful star power, to the 350-year-old Paris National Opera as its music director and why he believes music has the power to change lives. She accompanies Dudamel on a visit to a suburb of Paris where he meets young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in his mission to diversify and expand audiences to help make the world of opera fit for the future.