I’m not sure why, but my husband and I got season opera tickets in Houston when we were first married in our twenties. The city was enjoying an arts renaissance at the time. We went to them all and enjoyed all of them except Julius Caesar, which was a slog. The Magic Flute was a fun one for people who knew nothing about opera. It’s interesting looking back, as we just enjoyed them for the story, the spectacle (Turandot was amazingly lovely), and the music and singing. I don’t think I did any research at all before showing up. It’s a very fond memory.
Huge omission!!! Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera, and written as an homage to heroic love and the American Revolution. Beethoven was deeply inspired by the saga of the French imprisonment of the Marquis de Lafayette, and the courageous fight for his release from prison by his wife Adrienne. Especially appropriate for our 250th Birthday! Please add this superb, profound, and beautiful opera to this list.
I agree! I’ve attended Carmen and it is non-stop fun. Playing now in Seattle. Cavalleria Rusticana Is my favorite opera to listen to whilst creating things in my wood shop.
Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák and Turandot by Puccini are among my favorites. There are so many things that play role in enjoying opera. The costumes, the artistic approach (modern, classical) as well as the stage and lighting. It is essential for someone starting with opera to read about it prior.
I often find with opera (as well as other forms of art) knowing the context, the life of the composer/artist and the circumstances of why they wrote/painted the piece helps understand better the emotion in it and helps me connect to it.
Thank you for a great “intro to Opera” that I hope will convince my daughters and their husbands to gain an early experience that will develop into an appreciation.
What a fabulous list! I was fortunate enough to experience opera for the first time at La Fenice in Venice with a performance of Puccini's Tosca. Probably not the most accessible for a beginner, but talk about an unforgettable experience!
As a child along with 4 siblings we would once a year or so see Mom sit down in front of the stereo with the 3 album La Traviata, Pierre Monteux conductor. She would have a box of tissues, and the included opera booklet, listening to the whole opera weeping and marveling. It was maybe the only time we all knew that Mom was NOT to be disturbed. Now I listen to it and I am really enjoying it. I haven't yet gone beginning to end with booklet, but I'd love to see and hear it performed.
Good list! I would suggest familiarizing yourself with "Highlights" albums of the best productions, too. Mediocre singer are meh, but the best singers are glorious.
I respectfully disagree with your summary of Carmen. The way that you describe it is not in line with the original work, but rather emphasized the tropes that developed after Bizet’s death when the piece became mangled by editors (the creation of the recitative version which removes any of José’s backstory), and was directed in a one-dimensional way in which the cassia flower became the rose, which completely placed the opera into an easy-to-understand formula and thus diminished Carmen as a character and led to her being labeled as a femme fatale.
Opera is awesome
Agreed.
I’m not sure why, but my husband and I got season opera tickets in Houston when we were first married in our twenties. The city was enjoying an arts renaissance at the time. We went to them all and enjoyed all of them except Julius Caesar, which was a slog. The Magic Flute was a fun one for people who knew nothing about opera. It’s interesting looking back, as we just enjoyed them for the story, the spectacle (Turandot was amazingly lovely), and the music and singing. I don’t think I did any research at all before showing up. It’s a very fond memory.
Can't disagree but ABC is always safe
Aida
La Boheme
Carmen.
Before anyone goes in person, listen, listen, listen.
Rigoletto was my first opera and had me hooked. Great arias, vendettas, assassins, thunderstorms and the required tragic ending. What's not to like?
Great article!
I am trying to learn to appreciate opera. This is very helpful.
I think you misspelled "Gesamtkuntswerk." Should be "Gesamtkunstwerk."
Huge omission!!! Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera, and written as an homage to heroic love and the American Revolution. Beethoven was deeply inspired by the saga of the French imprisonment of the Marquis de Lafayette, and the courageous fight for his release from prison by his wife Adrienne. Especially appropriate for our 250th Birthday! Please add this superb, profound, and beautiful opera to this list.
I agree! I’ve attended Carmen and it is non-stop fun. Playing now in Seattle. Cavalleria Rusticana Is my favorite opera to listen to whilst creating things in my wood shop.
Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák and Turandot by Puccini are among my favorites. There are so many things that play role in enjoying opera. The costumes, the artistic approach (modern, classical) as well as the stage and lighting. It is essential for someone starting with opera to read about it prior.
Maybe not necessary to read about, but I do suggest listening to the highlights a few times.
I often find with opera (as well as other forms of art) knowing the context, the life of the composer/artist and the circumstances of why they wrote/painted the piece helps understand better the emotion in it and helps me connect to it.
Thank you for a great “intro to Opera” that I hope will convince my daughters and their husbands to gain an early experience that will develop into an appreciation.
What a fabulous list! I was fortunate enough to experience opera for the first time at La Fenice in Venice with a performance of Puccini's Tosca. Probably not the most accessible for a beginner, but talk about an unforgettable experience!
Catholics especially would like Gounod’s Faust.
As a child along with 4 siblings we would once a year or so see Mom sit down in front of the stereo with the 3 album La Traviata, Pierre Monteux conductor. She would have a box of tissues, and the included opera booklet, listening to the whole opera weeping and marveling. It was maybe the only time we all knew that Mom was NOT to be disturbed. Now I listen to it and I am really enjoying it. I haven't yet gone beginning to end with booklet, but I'd love to see and hear it performed.
The Marriage of Figaro - easily one of my favourites!
When you get round to Wagner, I recommend The Flying Dutchman as an entry opera. It's got banging music, an easy story and it's short!
Good list! I would suggest familiarizing yourself with "Highlights" albums of the best productions, too. Mediocre singer are meh, but the best singers are glorious.
Oh how I miss seeing opera! My personal favorite is Lakme. Of course the duet is famous, and The Bell Song is fabulous.
It's one opera where two young people immediately fall in love, and no one dies!
Best recording is with Mady Mesple as Lakme. No one can match her ability in The Bell Song.
I respectfully disagree with your summary of Carmen. The way that you describe it is not in line with the original work, but rather emphasized the tropes that developed after Bizet’s death when the piece became mangled by editors (the creation of the recitative version which removes any of José’s backstory), and was directed in a one-dimensional way in which the cassia flower became the rose, which completely placed the opera into an easy-to-understand formula and thus diminished Carmen as a character and led to her being labeled as a femme fatale.