Esioul

Just thought I'd add this thread, as I'm obsessed with opera. I got a Puccini CD on thursday, but I still haven't got the Saint-Saens I crave (at £30, no). Any favorites? Personally, I prefer Puccini to anything, but I like Verdi too.

Foxbat

I've seen a few operas in my time. One of my favourites was Verdi's MacBeth. It was kind of updated and the burial of Duncan was marred by the appearance of the Paperazzi (shades of Diana?).

Cavalieria Rusticana is another favourite (used to great effect in Godfather III).

But for me the best is by a long way Madame Butterfly - the most impressive (and yet minimalist) Opera I have ever seen. If done well it is extremely moving and wonderful.

Esioul

Butterfly is a definite favorite of mine. The whole thing is powerful, but I especially like one of the song's at the end- I think she's just about to kill herself? There are a few hints of Japanese music in it, and also a hint of that song from tosca, can't spell it. I've never actually seen an opera, to my regret, apart from on tv. I just satisfy myself with annoying everyone by singing it. I can imagine from listening to that last bit of Butterfly exactly how I would like to see it staged.

What's your opinion on Carmen?

Foxbat

For me, the most moving bit in Butterfly is when she stands at the end of an evening waiting for Pinkerton to return. The Humming Chorus starts and the lighting (in the production I saw) emulates dusk, night and then the dawn. Butterfly is left standing alone as the sun comes up and the Humming Chorus draws to an end.

If you like Opera, I recommend that, at some time, you see a live performance. There's simply nothing like it

On Carmen - I quite like it but I've never seen a live performance.

Lacedaemonian

Madame Butterfly and Carmen are currently my favourite operas, but my all time favourite opera song is O Mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Schicci. Puccini is my favourite composer. I have never been to an opera, but would love to.

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ravenus

I've heard an adaptation of Nessun Dorma by Uli Jon Roth which was sung by Klaus Meine (Scorpions) and that was awesome. SOmehow the orthodox version as sung by Pavarotti didn't appeal as much to me, his singing style seemed to me to be far less emotional than the Meine version.

Esioul

Hmm, I quite like Pavarotti, although I think I prefer Domingo as far as the most well known geezers go.

O Mio Babbino caro- I love that song. That last high note is surprisingly difficult... I can only sing it when I'm not too tired and stressed. I've been focusing on Carmen at the moment, as I'm trying to extend my lower register a bit. I think I generally prefer loud, powerful sort of songs but I do like the humming chorus too.

I'd love to go to an opera, but none of my friends or family share my enthusiasm (quite the opposite of enthusiasm, in fact) so I shall have to take myself one day.

Foxbat

It can be difficult getting somebody interested but once they go they usually like it (unless it's a particluarly bad performance). I've also come across an element of snobbery

- You're just working class, why would you go to an Opera? That's not for the likes of you -

that sort of thing gets on my nerves, especially when they say they've been to see Phantom of The Opera and enjoyed it. Let's face it, Phantom is just what it says, a modern opera.

Esioul

I've never seen or heard Phantom.

There is a lot of snobbery, and the usual 'classical music' crowd aren't too keen on me, because I'm loud and I grew up in Arbury *shock, horror* the *rough* area of Cambridge. Personally, I don't think it was that rough, and I don't think the fens are that rough, either. It gets to me sometimes at college when my friends make a fuss about Arbury. Its not that bad... sorry I'm rambling and ranting now.

I just like opera because it's dramatic and loud and has great tunes, really.

Foxbat

I couldn't agree more

Esioul

I'm always being told to sing more quietly at choir, because I'm too loud and drown everyone out. My mistakes are always embarressingly loud. It horrifies me how loud my voice is, and uncouth, too. My friend made a film of our group being rowdy on the last day of term, and there's a bit when I'm filming and commenting loudly. I say, 'Let's have a look out of the window!' sort of scruffily, then I point the camera out of the window, discover a couple kissing and say 'let's not look there then' even more scruffily, then I start laughing a minute later like a hyena when my friend starts messing around with her hair.... sorry, I'm crazy, must be the champange, I think I'm a bit drunk.

I've thought about writing my own opera, before, which is probably insane.

Do you know Purcell's Dido and Aeneas? Pretty much the first English opera, as far as I know. I like it.

polymorphikos

I can't always take English opera, as it sounds odd to hear people singing things in such a way, so my favourite form is something foreign on TV with subtitles. Speaking of which, I just saw The Bat and laughed my [expletive deleted] off. I loved the maid, Adele, and the party was truly stunning in the way it was designed. The stage turned and had four sets in it, and everything looked as though it was being viewed through a glass of champagne. And I have rarely heard so many inuendos in such a brief space of time outside of a Bond film. I know nothing of opera, though, and have never seen it performed although I'd like to. The drama would be lost on poor old monolinguil me, though. I did, however, once see The Three Musketeers ballet. Brilliant.

Esioul

I love the Bat! Don't you just love the prince, especially when he's a mezzo soprano? So funny! I'd love to perform the prince, he's so silly. I need subtitles, as I'm a rubbish linguist. And I'm not a great fan of ballet, I must admit, although I've been dragged to plenty. I ended up being taken to a ballet of Madame Butterfly, and it was rather pretty to watch I suppose, but I was scandalised that there was no singing.

Foxbat

Just to go off topic for a moment:
I had the same feelings a few years ago, but then I got dragged along to a performance of Dracula by the Northern Ballet and it was awesome!

I also had the good fortune to watch a special performance of excerpts in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. It was for the 90th birthday celebrations of a Russian Ballerina. It was absolutely wonderful. The downside was that they also had a performance by a Russian comedian. Let me tell you, it feels pretty strange when two thousand people get the joke and you don't have a clue what they're on about

fallenstar

Carmen is currently my favorite.