I want to watch an opera, what should I see?

Question

I have never been to an opera, so if anyone knows of a great opera to see let me know. I live in the Los Angeles area.

Answer 1

Now I know tons of great operas, but since you have never been to one before you should probably see a "audience-friendly" opera, one that won't put you to sleep your first go at it. The best one of these is Carmen, because the plot moves quickly and you would probably recognize some of the songs, which will grab your attention even more!

Answer 2

Lucky you! I am convinced there is no better first-timer opera than La Traviata and it will be at the Los Angeles Opera in September with the magical Renee Fleming.

It's been a popular story since it was first published, La dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils, in 1848 and has not one, but TWO operas based on it and the play Camille, also filmed several times.

This gives you a couple of months to prepare (you should know what you're seeing, right?). You can get the plot online, you might even rent the Garbo film (she is incomparable) so that you have it thoroughly down. I recommend NOT listening to the music, though. I think knowing the story lets you just enjoy Verdi's score and the artistry of the musicians. Actually, you may be surprised by how familiar much of the music is.

I hope you enjoy it. I like opera -- I don't go as often as I would like because I'm a performer and always seem to be doing shows.

Answer 3

Here are some operas I really liked (basically most of those I've seen so far): Iphiginie en Tauride (Spell?) by Gluck; The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, and The Abduction from the Seraglio by Mozart; The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan; and La Bohem (by Puccini, I think). Then here are some I've heard are good: Mozart's Cosi Fan Tute, Bizet's Carmen, and Rossini's The Barber of Seville. Opera is pretty awesome, if the singer's are well trained - and if it isn't twelve-tone row or atonal: those are less entertaining. If you want a happy ending, go for something before the Romantic Era of Classical music.

Answer 4

GO to the LA Opera website (www.losangelesopera.com). Two operas suitable for first timers are on the bill for the upcoming season: La Traviata and Hansel and Gretel. Get yourself a seat and dig in.

There are also smaller productions at, for example, the Cerritos Center, during the year. Check into the local arts centers to see what they have lined up. Usually those productions are of operas that are a little less demanding to the first time opera-goer.

Answer 5

I think "Carmen" is a dramatic opera with great music.

Answer 6

OMG where do I start....well any of Mozart's operas will sure please: Don Giovanni, Figaro, etc. and Puccini's are very good also: Madame Butterfly, La Boheme(my personal fav), Tuscan, etc., and Handel's operas although I forget the names of them are bold and powerful, very good also.