Any Opera Fans Out There?

[lavender]

 

[seXieleXie]

i went to see carmen as part of a "give the poor children some culture before they kill each other" program in san francisco public schools. it really affected me, and is my favorite opera to this day.

 

[Andreina]

I love Mozart's "Zauberflöte" - my all time favourite. Close second are "Aida" and "La Traviata" by Verdi. Although Beethoven's "Fidelo" is top on my list as well.... I just love classical music.


Halo

 

[kotori]

Si

I like Puccini best, because he's so modern. I also like his heroines: Tosca, Turandot, even Madame Butterfly. I saw Joe Green's Falstaff about a week or two ago, and Nozzi del Figaro is going to be here later on in the Spring. We get cheap tickets for the dress rehersal through my daughter's high school ($8).

I think leXie would make a good Carmen--you can see her breaking boys' hearts all over the place and going off with her girlfriend.

 

[seXieleXie]

Re: Si

I think leXie would make a good Carmen--you can see her breaking boys' hearts all over the place and going off with her girlfriend.

i have it on good authority that i have never broken anyone's heart, ever.

 

[Hamletmaschine]

I like Brecht & Weil's The Threepenny Opera (DreiGroBchen Oper). Does that count?

 

[Guest]

 

[lavender]

 

[jass1960]

I have to admit that I can't stand opera - I can't get into it - I even went to see Otello (is that by Verdi?) and left at the first scene change
- must to the surprise of the usherettes

 

[Vinny]

Luciano

I am a big Luciano fan. Actually I listen to him when I get on lit

 

[JazzManJim]

I like Gilbert and Sullivan's operas. Every one of them are thoroughly entertaining, witty, and musically rich.

I'm also a fan of Gershwin, for much the same reasons.

There area a lot of operas from which I like individual selections. Just about every Wagner opera has a piece that's worth hearing, as do Mozart and Rossini opera.

But mostly, if I have to sit and listen to folks yell at me, accompanied by an orchestra, I want it done in a language I speak.

 

[JazzManJim]

I like Gilbert and Sullivan's operas. Every one of them are thoroughly entertaining, witty, and musically rich.

I'm also a fan of Gershwin, for much the same reasons.

There area a lot of operas from which I like individual selections. Just about every Wagner opera has a piece that's worth hearing, as do Mozart and Rossini opera. Carmen has some beautiful overtures and incidental music. It's a bit...err....challenge...to play.

But mostly, if I have to sit and listen to folks yell at me, accompanied by an orchestra, I want it done in a language I speak.

 

[lavender]

 

[phrodeau]

I'm big on most forms of classical music except opera. There are only a few that I've actually sat through. Language seems to be the barrier for me, and I'm not overly fond of the sound of the human voice. If it's in English, it's a lot easier to appreciate.

For Renee Fleming I make an exception. I'll listen to her sing anything. Leontyne Price is another favorite.

As for favorite opera, it's a toss-up between Bernstein's "Candide" and Previn's "A Streetcar Named Desire".

 

[kotori]

Try typing like this

I like Brecht & Weil's The Threepenny Opera (DreiGroBchen Oper). Does that count?

Holding down the "Alt" key, type 0223. You'll get ß. Look up ASCII codes. Way cool.

And I love the film with Lotte Lena

 

[lavender]

Re: Try typing like this

 

[kotori]

Re: Re: Try typing like this

Wait, it doesn't work in here. Why not?

I don't know. You must be doing something wrong, 'cause I just did it to demonstrate. Yen? Alt + 0165 (¥); French quotes? Alt + 0171 & 0187 («, »). Don't know where the assignments came from, they don't seem to follow any rhyme or reason.

 

[Dillinger]

The Magic Flute - Mozart is one of my favorite opera's. I even wrote a piece of music myself based on an excerpt from it. Its both humorous and touches on some subjects that are of great interest to me (Freemasonry, magick). And, the music speaks for itself.

Einstein on the Beach - Phillip Glass - I've always very much enjoyed his music and this one is wonderful. Modern classical music with pop sensibility.

Wozzeck - Alban Berg - I was so impressed when I first heard this in music school that a friend went out and bought it for me. I've got the Vienna Philharmonic version with Christoph von Dohnanyi conducting. Berg was a student of Schonberg but very quickly developed his own "voice." This opera was first performed in 1925. While it is a very modern opera it has also been compared to Puccini in emotional character and dramatic breath. I highly recommend it.

Speaking of Puccini - La Boheme - my version is Berlin Philharmonic with von Karajan conductiong. Pavarotti, Freni and Ghiaurov. Wonderful performance of a truly amazing opera.

Carmen - Bizet - I think people who don't know much about opera even know this one - or, at least, some of the pieces from it. My version is Sir Georg Solti (London Philharmonic) with Kiri Te Kanawa, Toryanos, Domingo... I will buy ANYTHING with Te Kanawa on it!


I'm going to go with one more Phillip Glass here too... Satyagraha - I could list dozens and dozens more "classical" operas but I'm picking this one because I'm guessing most people aren't familiar with it and it really is worth your time. This work was commissioned by the City of Rotterdam and premiered in 1980. Sat is sanskrit for truth. Graha is sanskrit for firmness. The term was coined by Gandhi to describe his political/social philosophy of "the Force born of Truth and Love, or non-violence." This opera depicts the birth and development of the civil rights movement.

 

[Mensa]

What is your favorite opera, and why?
I found myself imploring the end to arrive.

This has been my reaction to Opera right from the get-go. Is there a more anachronistic art form? Ballet, too! The only thing about either that interests me is the music, but since I go to the Symphony, I get the music without having the fat lady sing.

Mind you, Kiri Te Kanawa is a babe.

 

[La Principessa]

Now I couldn't pass by this thread with out adding to it.....

I know it's a bit sterotypical, but growing up in an Italian household in Jersey we listened to Opera ALOT! Both of my parents love(d) it. All of us kids share an appreciation for it and I go to the Met as often as possible (or as often as they have performances I want to see).

As a failsafe, I know that I will enjoy the performance if it is by Puccini (Butterfly, La Boheme & Tosca being at the top). And Turandot......Nessun Dorma, what else can you say?? Verdi is quintessential for me. Not only with his operas (Otello & Aida) but who doesn't love his Requiem?? So powerful!!

 

[Caressa]

Well...I haven't decided what exactly my feelings are on opera yet...even if I'm currently in the opera world

We are in rehearsals for Strauss's "Die Fledermaus"...which are much more enjoyable that Boheme... I guess it also helps when you don't have a flaming French director calling you by the wrong name and yelling about everything...

Ah...the theatre...

 

[patient1]

Opera is an acquired taste & so are :

Whiskey
Cigarettes
Anal sex

A lot of people get past their initial reactions and take pleasure in them, if they keep trying.

I love Cossi Fan Tutti and The Barber of Seville best.

I particularly enjoy when 3-6 people are singing at once, but you can still follow each part.

 

[Spinaroonie]

Mine is Tommy.

 

[lavender]

 

[Problem Child]

I didn't read this thread and I hope I'm not offending anyone, but I really hate Oprah.