now i know your a cultured bunch and i'm guessing proper opera buffs would never even consider watching popstar to opera star but having dipped into it myself i have found there are a hell of a lot of arias that i love so i'm thinkin i might just like to go and experience an opera so i'm asking advice from those that are in the know
what would be a good place to start?
would it be listening to it on dvd to be able to pick one that grabs me to actually see?
or is there one anyone could suggest as a good starting point to look out for to actually go and see?
have a to get a better idea of what its about.
there's quite a lot of amateur dramatic companies putting on an opera, and cheap enough to go to.
then the music: one thing many people overlook is the recitative. that is the 'musical talking', which seems to go on forever until you get to that famous aria. Often such arias creep in unawares and you may well be nodding off when they arrive.
Verdi or Rossini is a fair enough place to start. Puccini has the famous arias. But there are some real gems such as Eugine Onegin by Tchaikovsky. I sang chorus in that and its a real nice piece of music.
The more modern stuff such as Wagner is very demanding on the ear and the stamina.
Much will depend on what's on that you can get to - that's the place to start - and then I try something not too dark, long or heavy - so if La Traviata's on that would be a wonderful start, or Mme Butterfly, or la boheme, Magic Flute, Carmen etc etc. If you can bear dukes in disguise, there's all that barber of figaro stuff too. Usually a bit of dying of consumption etc even in these but great tunes and probably great sets and costumes to go with, even decent acting if you're lucky and if you like all this, opera has it all really!
The programme will have an adequate plot summary and act by act storylines and there'll be surtitles - so I would no more do homework for an opera than I would for Hairspray!
It's only 'elitist' in terms of ticket prices really - it's very accessible - and I go a lot, in the cheap seats that every opera house has.
Enjoy - and if you're anywhere near me, I'll take you!
i'm going to look into local operas see if i can give it a taste that way i think
thankyou for your help been very usefull guys
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I used to goto the Coliseum to see the ENO (English National Opera) perform, though mainly when I was an innocent youngster and could get top seats for silly money but turning up and flashing my young persons railcard (a decade ago).
I know there are a couple of touring companies come to Cambridge each year.
Personally I love Mozart, Magic Flute or Cosi Fan Tutte etc.
Regards
Harry Jones
Turandot is excellent- Has nessum dorma but is a heart rending story too
whoever said opera north was a great suggestion.... went to see them a few years ago and they were fantastic......
if you want an opera to start... have to save my favourite is actually Carmen....
I love opera ....and the ballett culture etc ohhhh yes plz.
trav..
I saw something last night and thought oh yeah must post it in this thread - will I be able to find it though :lol2:
That wasn't what I had in mind and can't find it now bugger :sad:
Regards
Harry Jones
