Opera Music

[Mo_(operalover)]

What's:

1. Your favourite opera
2. Your favourite composer
3. Your favourite artists

Or you could answer just one of the above. I love comparing my favourites with other aficionados!

[Jack Flak]

Is Avez Maria an opera? I like that song. (I know absolutely nothing about opera.)

[InaF3157]

What's:

1. Your favourite opera
2. Your favourite composer
3. Your favourite artists

Or you could answer just one of the above. I love comparing my favourites with other aficionados!
I like some, though I am by no means a connoisseur who could expertly discuss the relative merits of the composers/operas. So far, I've only seen/heard Rossini, Puccini, Mozart, Strauss and Bizet, and probably like Puccini most.

Is Avez Maria an opera? I like that song. (I know absolutely nothing about opera.)

Fancy Jack Flak frenchifies Ave Maria.

[Colors]

All the different sounds of opera* sound the same to me. Do they all have the same basic "sound" as it were- and the emphasis is more on the emotional expression? Or are they more varied - opera A being all about the percussion - and another being all funky otherworld harp and trombone?

*Speaking of the European-language opera, of course. I'm aware of also Chinese opera and vaguely some Vietnamese. I'm sure lots of cultures have things we might consider opera.

[ajblaise]

Opera singers need to start singing on beat, or to a beat..or they're gunna get beat up.

[Bella]

Opera singers need to start singing on beat, or to a beat..or they're gunna get beat up.

lol

[InaF3157]

Opera singers need to start singing on beat, or to a beat..or they're gunna get beat up.

:rolleyes:
Carmen has melody that can be appreciated by even a child.

[ajblaise]

:rolleyes:
Carmen has melody that can be appreciated by even a child.

I've heard some stuff I like by that blind guy. But most opera I hear is just so unstimulating to me, especially because the songs often have no sense of real rhythm.

[Ivy]

I love Porgy & Bess, so it's not surprising that I also love Leontyne Price. I hesitate to name a favorite with as little exposure as I have to opera in the big picture, though.

[pure_mercury]

I have an appreciation for Wagner's batshit-crazy Gesamtkunstwerk approach to opera. I doubt I'd want to sit through a whole performance of it, though.

[Bella]

I've heard some stuff I like by that blind guy. But most opera I hear is just so unstimulating to me, especially because the songs often have no sense of real rhythm.

Andrea Botcelli

[Ivy]

Summertime

[InaF3157]

I've heard some stuff I like by that blind guy. But most opera I hear is just so unstimulating to me, especially because the songs often have no sense of real rhythm.

Yeah, Andrea Bocelli's opera album, Aria, is an accessible collection. Nice highlights. I wouldn't be surprised if people got into opera by way of him.

[Ivy]

I have an appreciation for Wagner's batshit-crazy Gesamtkunstwerk approach to opera. I doubt I'd want to sit through a whole performance of it, though.

Yeah, it's something I feel like I should do sometime but I'd want to bring a book.

MC Frontalot :: Lyric :: Rhyme of the Nibelung (http://www.frontalot.com/index.php/?page=lyrics&lyricid=39)

[Splittet]

1. Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute. Too close to tell. I hardly understand anything of the plot, and have only seen The Magic Flute on film, but I thoroughly enjoy the music and especially the vocal harmonies.
2. Mozart, which might very well have a lot to do with all the myths and the Amadeus film, which made me interested in him.
3. Nick Drake, dredg, Ulver, Radiohead, Björk, Clint Mansell, Agalloch, Sun Kil Moon, Pain of Salvation, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, A Perfect Circle, Riverside, Tool, Blackfield

[Bella]

Sarah Brightman! She's wonderful! She always does those nice hand movements when she sings.

[pure_mercury]

Step Brothers - Por Ti Volare

[Mo_(operalover)]

Is Avez Maria an opera? I like that song. (I know absolutely nothing about opera.)

It's a beautiful art song sung in the classical style. My favourite interpretation of it is by Jessye Norman. As are most of my favourite interpretations.

Here's a wonderful interpretation - YouTube - Lucia Popp - "Ave Maria" - F. Schubert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PmSUovTGRs)


I like some, though I am by no means a connoisseur who could expertly discuss the relative merits of the composers/operas. So far, I've only seen/heard Rossini, Puccini, Mozart, Strauss and Bizet, and probably like Puccini most..

Great taste! I didn't mean this post to be too esoteric so perhaps you could tell me in your own terms which particular operas you liked.


All the different sounds of opera* sound the same to me. Do they all have the same basic "sound" as it were- and the emphasis is more on the emotional expression? Or are they more varied - opera A being all about the percussion - and another being all funky otherworld harp and trombone?

*Speaking of the European-language opera, of course. I'm aware of also Chinese opera and vaguely some Vietnamese. I'm sure lots of cultures have things we might consider opera.

The 'basic sound' of opera is born of a (extremely difficult to master) classical singing technique where the voice is treated as a musical instrument and the orchestra's main musical instrument at that. The singer sings the words on the exact notes that were written by the composer. Opera houses are pretty large and the singer must be able to project their voices such that they can sing an entire night's performance and be clearly heard in all corners of the hall without pushing or straining their voices. The voices are classified based on how high, low, loud, fast... they can sing and this is mostly determined by the thickness of the vocal cords. A particular voice-type will sing a particular suitable character. e.g. A sweet-sounding pure-toned lyric-soprano voice is most suitable for the character of Mimi in La Boheme and the composer wrote the notes for that particular role with a lyric-soprano's abilities in mind. There are 3 basic voice types for women; soprano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deztqFs-gfQ), mezzo-soprano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oby-hCgZLJc) and contralto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWV_Ntcygqg), and 3 basic classifications for men; tenor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWV_Ntcygqg), baritone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf4c8uREO3U)and bass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_IaJDqz2Zo). These are based purely on the vocal ranges that a singer is most comfortable in and they are further subdivided based on vocal weight (volume) and ability to 'sing fast notes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLbE4oS72-I)'.

Opera has several sub-genres; for instances the Belcanto (literally, beautiful singing) operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini have an emphasis on the voice and very flowery and elaborate vocal runs. The emphasis is on the voice and the plots and orchestration are rather thin. The Verismo school of opera (encompassing Puccini, Leoncavallo...) have their emphasis on realistic plots and scenarios; the singing tends to be less flowery and more expressive. The Gesamtkunstwerk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesamtkunstwerk)school of Wagner and (partially) Strauss have operas that are, for lack of a better word, larger-than-life. Wagner is known for placing as much importance on the orchestration as on the voice. The Verismo operas are the most accessible for beginners. Do NOT begin with a Wagner opera. :P

Excuse me for rambling on.


:rolleyes:
Carmen has melody that can be appreciated by even a child.

Tell him! :)

As do several Puccini operas too.


I've heard some stuff I like by that blind guy. But most opera I hear is just so unstimulating to me, especially because the songs often have no sense of real rhythm.

Boccelli is pretty awesome but once you get into it; you realise that there are folks out there that are even more phenomenal. Listen to this guy!

YouTube - Jussi Björling - Song of India (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1S1iHcnYFY)


I love Porgy & Bess, so it's not surprising that I also love Leontyne Price. I hesitate to name a favorite with as little exposure as I have to opera in the big picture, though.

I don't know too much about modern American opera but I have heard a few arias from Porgy & Bess.

And you just named one of my favourite singers. :D

YouTube - Leontyne Price "Bess, You is my Woman" Berlin 9/21/1952 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWysofRIRr8)

YouTube - Leontyne Price sings "Vissi d'arte" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbusDhwVJuU)


I have an appreciation for Wagner's batshit-crazy Gesamtkunstwerk approach to opera. I doubt I'd want to sit through a whole performance of it, though.

When I first fell 'in love' with opera (I accidentally clicked the wrong youtube vid two years ago and the rest is history), I was into the belcanto stuff. I couldn't stand Wagner but, in the past few months, I've become a massive fan. He was THE radical. Even more, I like Strauss's music with it's leasant blend of both Wagner's approach and some Italianate influence.

Salome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpm6A4SF_Q)rocks my socks off!

Which Wagner is your favourite?


1. Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute. Too close to tell. I hardly understand anything of the plot, and have only seen The Magic Flute on film, but I thoroughly enjoy the music and especially the vocal harmonies.
2. Mozart, which might very well have a lot to do with all the myths and the Amadeus film, which made me interested in him.
3. Nick Drake, dredg, Ulver, Radiohead, Björk, Clint Mansell, Agalloch, Sun Kil Moon, Pain of Salvation, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, A Perfect Circle, Riverside, Tool, Blackfield

Mozart may be the most complete composer that ever lived. His operas are complex, accessible and simply perfect. My favourite aria from the Magic Flute has got to O Zittre Nicht (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_zittre_nicht,_mein_lieber_Sohn).

YouTube - Diana Damrau as Queen of the Night I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EUOmdxo2jE)

WhichMagic Flute movie did you see? Is it the recent 2006 one?

Btw, you probably know this but a lot the Amadeus movie had quite a bit of fiction in it (e.g. Salieri and Mozart's relationship). Hollywood. :rolli: But it was definitely entertaining to watch.


Sarah Brightman! She's wonderful! She always does those nice hand movements when she sings.

She's a nice classical crossover artist along with Josh Groban and Bocelli. I like how they've made classical music more accessible to many who might have not otherwise been interested in it.

p.s. I'm glad no one's named Katherine Jenkins as a favourite.


I've heard some stuff I like by that blind guy. But most opera I hear is just so unstimulating to me, especially because the songs often have no sense of real rhythm.

The melodies are more complex and harder to catch on a first hearing but they are there in some arias.

YouTube - Norman sings "Je te veux" by Satie (1984) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nQrAPgjVEI)

YouTube - Gigli Ombra mai fu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPKBkjamc_s)

[Mo_(operalover)]

Step Brothers - Por Ti Volare

Not bad! I wonder if it really is him or it was dubbed.

[CzeCze]

What's:

1. Your favourite opera
2. Your favourite composer
3. Your favourite artists

Or you could answer just one of the above. I love comparing my favourites with other aficionados!

Ooh, *not* an aficionado, but someone who's general dabbling of stuff makes her comfortable as not even a newb. :D

I don't have a favorite opera, but I do have songs I'm familiar with or like, for instance 'Flower Duet' (and no, I did not hear it for the first time on an airline commercial! LOL) So no favorite opera composers as yet. I do have some favorite contemporary opera singers though. Dame Te Kiri and Sumi Jo.

I'm not well-versed enough to know how to exactly critique voices other than to say I like 'clear' voices and Sumi Jo does have a voice that's been described as 'clear as water'. Some sopranos just sound painful and almost like they're strangling their vocal cords when they sing.

And I've taken a few operatic singing lessons and some voice lessons in the 'bel canto' tradition.

Singing's hard, mang. Especially operatic singing it's so much about breath and diaphraghm (sp?) work, I was amazed at the LOUD sounds coming from me and I always thought I was going to pass out.

LOL.

[Mo_(operalover)]

.... I do have songs I'm familiar with or like, for instance 'Flower Duet' (and no, I did not hear it for the first time on an airline commercial! LOL)

Haha, sadly I did.


Some sopranos just sound painful and almost like they're strangling their vocal cords when they sing.

Have you heard Maria Guleghina when she pushes her voice? (clips on youtube) Urgh.


And I've taken a few operatic singing lessons and some voice lessons in the 'bel canto' tradition.

Would love to hear ya. You have any clips online? Feel free to PM them to me if you do.


Especially operatic singing it's so much about breath and diaphraghm (sp?) work, I was amazed at the LOUD sounds coming from me and I always thought I was going to pass out.

If you master your breath support, you're more than halfway there. I've given up on trying to do that for now. When the urge to sing hits me, I just open my mouth and scream out the aria. Have you heard a bass-baritone attempting to sing The Bell Song?

Not a pretty sight. :mellow:

YouTube - Sumi Jo - Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor - Mad Scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPe7zbM-MxY) (I also saw that clip where Karajan auditioned her when she new on the scene. Sweet!)

[Splittet]

WhichMagic Flute movie did you see? Is it the recent 2006 one?

I saw the Ingmar Bergman version from 1975.

Btw, you probably know this but a lot the Amadeus movie had quite a bit of fiction in it (e.g. Salieri and Mozart's relationship). Hollywood. :rolli: But it was definitely entertaining to watch.

Yeah, I am very well aware of it... Still love the movie though. I don't think it's important it's not historically correct. The movie isn't even about Mozart, I think it's rather about genius... I see the movie rather as loosely based on Mozart, and full of myths, in order to tell what the director wants to say or discuss when it comes to genius... That's how I choose to watch the movie, at least.

[phoenix13]

What's:

1. Your favourite opera
2. Your favourite composer
3. Your favourite artists

Or you could answer just one of the above. I love comparing my favourites with other aficionados!

1. Massenet's Werther
2. Dmitri Shostakovich :heart:
3. Not too knowledgeable here, but Marian Anderson (she's a mutant...), Pavarotti (omg, surprise!), and Joan Sutherland. I HATE Andrea Boccelli.

[InaF3157]

Great taste! I didn't mean this post to be too esoteric so perhaps you could tell me in your own terms which particular operas you liked.
Carmen was my childhood favorite, which I discovered incidentally through the Dorothy Dandridge/Harry Belafonte movie (Carmen Jones) based on the opera. The actual opera was better than the movie. :) Then I heard an excerpt from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana in a movie for a class on Italian Americana, and started listening again. Now, I'd say La bohème is a contender for favorite.
Salome rocks my socks off!
I saw a not-so-great production of this in Berlin. Was not pleased. Maybe I'll give it another listen.

[Mo_(operalover)]

1. Massenet's Werther
2. Dmitri Shostakovich :heart:
3. Not too knowledgeable here, but Marian Anderson (she's a mutant...), Pavarotti (omg, surprise!), and Joan Sutherland.

Ha! I was just watching a fantastic Pav/Sutherland duet from Lucia di Lammermoor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucia_di_Lammermoor).



I HATE Andrea Boccelli.

Marry me. :wubbie:


Carmen was my childhood favorite, which I discovered incidentally through the Dorothy Dandridge/Harry Belafonte movie (Carmen Jones) based on the opera. The actual opera was better than the movie. :) Then I heard an excerpt from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana in a movie for a class on Italian Americana, and started listening again. Now, I'd say La bohème is a contender for favorite.

I do think che galida malina... si, mi chiamano mimi have to be two of the most romantic and beautiful (in their simplicity) arias in the world.

YouTube - Jussi Bjorling-Renata Tebaldi-"La Boheme" from Puccini-Part1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRRqUaGOM2Q)

(my favourite interpretation evah. the singing starts at 00:46)


I saw a not-so-great production of this in Berlin. Was not pleased. Maybe I'll give it another listen.

Let me guess; the soprano had a small voice? :doh:

Salome has dense orchestration and you need a true-blue Dramatic Soprano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_soprano) to be able to be heard clearly over such a large orchestra. I mean, I don't want to hear a Dramatic Soprano rampaging like an elephant through the delicate textures of an opera like La Boheme but I sure as hell dont want to hear a small voiced Lyric Soprano whose sound is lost in the Wagner and Strauss orchestration.

The best Salome that ever lived - YouTube - Nilsson Salome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpm6A4SF_Q)

Nobody bar none has ever sung the final scene like that.

[aguanile]

1. Die Zauberflote (favorite for the music and the action, keeps my interest)
2. Mozart (perfection)
3. Fleming, Pav (I really don't think there is a more perfect Tenor), Florez, Te Kanawa, Hvorostovsky, D'arcangelo, Bartoli, Price, Tebaldi, Sills, Sutherland, Moffo, Latonia Moore, Simionato.

[CzeCze]

1. Die Zauberflote (favorite for the music and the action, keeps my interest)

Haha, that's a ring tone on my phone!

[Mo_(operalover)]

2. Mozart (perfection)

I agree.



3. Fleming, Pav (I really don't think there is a more perfect Tenor), Florez, Te Kanawa, Hvorostovsky, D'arcangelo, Bartoli, Price, Tebaldi, Sills, Sutherland, Moffo, Latonia Moore, Simionato.

Quite an eclectic list there! Hadn't heard of D'arcangelo before but I've just YouTube'd him and wow, what a beautiful vocal colour. We may just have a successor to Samuel Ramey after all.

[InaF3157]

YouTube - Jussi Bjorling-Renata Tebaldi-"La Boheme" from Puccini-Part1

(my favourite interpretation evah. the singing starts at 00:46)
Renata Tebaldi. :wubbie:

Let me guess; the soprano had a small voice?

Salome has dense orchestration and you need a true-blue Dramatic Soprano to be able to be heard clearly over such a large orchestra. I mean, I don't want to hear a Dramatic Soprano rampaging like an elephant through the delicate textures of an opera like La Boheme but I sure as hell dont want to hear a small voiced Lyric Soprano whose sound is lost in the Wagner and Strauss orchestration.

Well, put it this way: it sounded like the orchestra was like a herd of over-loud large elephants that totally drowned out the soprano.

[aguanile]

I agree.

Quite an eclectic list there! Hadn't heard of D'arcangelo before but I've just YouTube'd him and wow, what a beautiful vocal colour. We may just have a successor to Samuel Ramey after all.

Yes, his voice is glorious and he's not too rough on the eyes either!

[Ivy]

I had never heard Andrea Bocelli before now. Seems more "popera" than opera to me, like Charlotte Church.

[phoenix13]

Salome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpm6A4SF_Q)rocks my socks off!


I listened to Strauss's Salome and it's absolutely fantastic! I mean, that opera is SICK! Good stuff...

I had never heard Andrea Bocelli before now. Seems more "popera" than opera to me, like Charlotte Church.

His music isn't so bad... it's his voice. I'm sure it's phenomenal, but I really really hate it. It sounds like he's moaning all the time. I want full round intensity, yo!

[InaF3157]

I had never heard Andrea Bocelli before now. Seems more "popera" than opera to me, like Charlotte Church.

Popera is a good description. Doesn't he sing straight pop as well? I don't think he sticks to the opera genre.

[phoenix13]

Popera is a good description. Doesn't he sing straight pop as well? I don't think he sticks to the opera genre.

Everytime I see the word popera, I think "poopera" in my head.

an adult at 22.99726? I think not...

[Peguy]

I don't know if I have a particular favorite opera.

As far as composers are concerned, I generally enjoy those from the Baroque period. Off the top of my head, some favorites of mine: Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky.

[Mo_(operalover)]

I don't know if I have a particular favorite opera.

As far as composers are concerned, I generally enjoy those from the Baroque period. Off the top of my head, some favorites of mine: Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky.

Sometimes, some sumptuous rich operas get too heavy for me, much like having a large pizza with everything right before bedtime, and I then crave the comparatively gossamer-thin delicate textures of a Baroque opera. Handel's Rodelinda is my favourite of that sub-genre.

[CzeCze]

Mo, I'll save you heart ear ache now.

I can't sing. Oh *no*. I'm not being modest here. Can't.

I'm simply shameless. :yes:

And voice lessons are just another thing to learn on my never-ending ENFP quest to try things out. :D

I recommend taking voice lessons to most anyone. Especially opera lovers. ;)

Seriously, I think learning the theory and practice of operatic singing will only enrich your appreciation of it. And give you so many more ways to critique the operas you hear.

[Mo_(operalover)]

I recommend taking voice lessons to most anyone. Especially opera lovers. ;)

Seriously, I think learning the theory and practice of operatic singing will only enrich your appreciation of it. And give you so many more ways to critique the operas you hear.

I'd love to get voice lessons; I can get a nice (to my ears at least) operatic sound going on some days and it would be great to train it. :yes:

[spartan26]

I love Porgy & Bess, so it's not surprising that I also love Leontyne Price.A friend of mine was telling me she was at the SF Opera House in the early 80's to see a performance, maybe Samson et Dalila and both principles were out. I think she was saying it was one of those deals where certain talent play Wed, Fri, Sat and the other plays Thurs, Sunday and so the alt fill in was Plácido Domingo. Placido just happened to have a guest in town that w/e, Leontyne Price, who on a moment's notice decided to sing w/her friend and play Dalila. I'm so insanely jealous of her. I saw the performance w/Denyce Graves, who's prolly my current favorite. Though I wouldn't say that's my favorite opera.

I remember seeing after 9/11, Leontyne came out of retirement to sing at some public schools in NYC. Adults were crying. I'm sure the kids were too young to get it.

Opera really has some issues to work out to survive. I'd like to hear a new performer come out and not put Ava Maria or O Mio Babino Caro on her album. Seriously, it's like the labels are a cross between top 40 radio and American Idol. Judge this one based on only 10 songs that you've already heard before.

I've been listening to Anna Netrebko of late. A little Denise De Niese, who always reminds me of Jessica Alba, which I kinda wonder will that help or hurt her? Well obviously help but I wonder if that'll prevent her from getting street cred about her skillz?

[aguanile]

Re: De Niese. She is gorgeous. I will give her that. But I don't think her voice is outstanding in any way. I am not a hater. I just think that she is going places not based on talent.