@futurebird @mycotropic @WhiteCatTamer @RanaldClouston @rk @bookstodon I’d be curious to know too! The only Tchaikovsky I’ve read is Doors of Eden, which was a very enjoyable yarn.
As for space opera that can be enjoyed by others than 14-year old boys (I have that same relationship to Heinlein — loved him as a teenager, loathed him as an adult), I most recently read the first two books of Bethany Jacob’s Kindom Trilogy. Most excellent page turner! Also, the Teixcalaan books by Arcady Martine are very good.