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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you for sharing this. I am a passionate lover of much 'classical' music, and your introduction to opera is about as good as it gets, especially as you have given op-enable links the the music itself. Good move!
Sorry. I saw Traviata as my first opera and was hugely disappointed. What struck me most was that, for a great opera, there was only one aria I recognised. The rest of the music could have been anything. Nor did it grab my attention.
And in case you think I'm a Philistine, I love a bit of ballet.
I used to go to the opera when I was in my teens. The state's cultural institute had really good programs back in the day, and prices were affordable. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anymore :(
Any suggestions for the best recorded productions to watch at home? We did pay to stream The Magic Flute from the Royal Opera which was fabulous, but curious of other ideas.
Opera is awesome
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.
Catholics especially would like Gounod’s Faust.
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.
Rigoletto was my first opera and had me hooked. Great arias, vendettas, assassins, thunderstorms and the required tragic ending. What's not to like?
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.
Great article!
I am trying to learn to appreciate opera. This is very helpful.
I think you misspelled "Gesamtkuntswerk." Should be "Gesamtkunstwerk."
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.
Can't disagree but ABC is always safe
Aida
La Boheme
Carmen.
Before anyone goes in person, listen, listen, listen.
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.
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.
Thank you for sharing this. I am a passionate lover of much 'classical' music, and your introduction to opera is about as good as it gets, especially as you have given op-enable links the the music itself. Good move!
Sorry. I saw Traviata as my first opera and was hugely disappointed. What struck me most was that, for a great opera, there was only one aria I recognised. The rest of the music could have been anything. Nor did it grab my attention.
And in case you think I'm a Philistine, I love a bit of ballet.
I used to go to the opera when I was in my teens. The state's cultural institute had really good programs back in the day, and prices were affordable. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anymore :(
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!
Any suggestions for the best recorded productions to watch at home? We did pay to stream The Magic Flute from the Royal Opera which was fabulous, but curious of other ideas.
The Royal Opera's Don Giovanni is also very good.