[Kilane]

Alright, for the longest time this was one of the two generes (coupled with new (read: dixie chicks) country) that I absolutely couldn't take.

HOWEVER! In the desire of giving everything a fair shake, and some wrangling I wound up at an opera house several months ago and actually enjoyed some of it. Curiouser still I've actually managed to enjoy that guy whose performing Opera on Britain's Got Talent.

SO! Here's your chance, where's a good place to start? I'm not really down so much with classically trained vocals for the sake of vocals. Most of the stuff I've heard and enjoyed is almost syrupy as far as melody and pleasant to the ear. I haven't been able to handle anything more esoteric or Wagner esque quite yet. I've snagged some Pavoratti renditions of the Nessun Dorma from the library and an old tape from a friend of Andrea Bocelli (his most accessible tape or so he says). What else?

 

[FalconP]

There is a discussion not so long ago. Something from Verdi or Puccini, or late Mozart, are good start.

Or else you may want to check out some recording of arias by famous singers.

 

[skellington]

I don't know much about opera, but Bluebeard's Castle by Bartok is the first one I've heard I've really 'got'. Simply wonderful.

 

[PSmith08]

Verdi is a good start, so is Mozart.

Carlo Maria Giulini's Rigoletto is out on DGG at a bargain price,
Karl Böhm's Die Zauberflöte (DGG) is a perennial recommendation.

Two good operas that will provide hours of entertainment.

 

[MonsieurSwann]

Bizet might not be a bad idea either:

The Pear Fishers (Hendricks)
La Traviata (Corelli/Sutherland)

 

[Sordel]

I think that Verdi/Mozart are awful choices unless one is already attuned to the classical music of their era. Much better in my view would be Britten's Turn of the Screw, which has more modern harmonies (and a good libretto as well). Duke Bluebeard's Castle is another good one, as people have said.

 

[PSmith08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sordel /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think that Verdi/Mozart are awful choices unless one is already attuned to the classical music of their era. Much better in my view would be Britten's Turn of the Screw, which has more modern harmonies (and a good libretto as well). Duke Bluebeard's Castle is another good one, as people have said.

Britten? Well, maybe. However, Verdi and Mozart are pretty recognizable, especially something like Rigoletto, and it is best to start on a solid foundation. Most people are familiar with "La donna è mobile" or the Queen of the Night's aria. Familiarity makes it a little easier to get into it and understand what's going on. Britten tends to be a little off-the-beaten-path, and challenging at that.

However, music is a journey, and if Britten gets someone started, all the better.

 

[zotjen]

Start with La Boheme. Either the Pavarotti/Freni or the Bjorling/de los Angeles. The reason it's the most popular opera is because it's the most accessible. Of course, it doesn't mean it's the best opera but that's a topic for a different thread.

Also, I'll never understand why people always recommend Die Zauberflöte for a first opera. One third of it is spoken dialogue, it has a convoluted plot, etc.

 

[Kilane]

Alright, I'm sorry I didn't search threads before posting, that was my first mistake.

As far as Operas go I'm far far less interested in plot than I am solid performance, not to say it makes no difference at all, but it's definitely not what i'm after.
As far as my being attuned to classical music of the period, I was raised on most of it, but am a far far cry from "knowing" any of it. I'll give Bartok and Britten a try as well as Rigoletto

 

[vcoheda]

anything by verdi, puccini, mozart, strauss or, if you are really ambitious, wagner.

 

[PSmith08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zotjen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, I'll never understand why people always recommend Die Zauberflöte for a first opera. One third of it is spoken dialogue, it has a convoluted plot, etc.

Well, it does make up for itself with plenty of catchy numbers and really fine arias. That counts for something, and - if you can follow along in the libretto - the plot isn't much worse than some of these Hollywood movies these days.