Opera is an acquired taste which I have deliberately not acquired. But that was quite a calf’s head!
I prefer opera excerpts, rather than the whole 3 hour drama. However, Faust and Carmen (both in French) have a lot of action combined with beautiful melodies. Both were considered quite scandalous in their day, especially Carmen because there was no redemption in the end. There was a big redemption scene at the end of Faust, which made it more culturally acceptable at the time.
Carmen ended with a murder and arrest...and that was that.
But you are right...it is an acquired taste. I never got into “Chamber Music” but some people really love it. Thank God there are so many different kinds of Art! :-)