Have you ever been to an opra? Which one(s)?

Question

I've never been,but would like to at least experience one in my lifetime just to say that I have been to one andof course to get some cultural entertainment.

Answer 1

Opera is not an easy genre to love, especially because so many of them were composed in Italian, German or French. Try reading something about the opera you would like to see, get an idea of the characters, the plot, the singers. Opera is not your usual run-of-the-mill entertainment and highly unappreciated in our time.

Opera tickets are not cheap, try listening to a sampler of opera arias, and if you like one, go for the whole thing.

Remember that these were composed a long time ago so the subject of some of them will sound kind of strange to our modern way of life, but some all time favorites are Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, La Traviata, Carmen, The Magic Flute and Tosca. You will be surprised at how many arias you recognize because they are used for a number of things, including tv commercials, background music and cartoons, the old looney tunes kind with Bugs, Daffy Porky and Elmer.

What one has to admire when going to the Opera is the talent of many of the singers, most people have absolutely no idea of the years spent in training so they can sing so beautifully. Learn to appreciate the different voices like Bass, Baritone and Tenor and Countertenor and with the women its Contralto, Mezzo, Soprano or Alto. The Scenery is awesome and the costumes are fantastic.

Appreciating the Opera is like a love hate relationship, either you love it or you hate it, never try to understand it.

If you feel Opera is too dense, try Operetta, something like The Merry Widow, or Pirates of Penzance, it's lighter and tends more towards comedy.

Good for you, congratulations just for being willing to go ahead and sample it.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Someone mentioned that they had seen "The Phantom Of the Opera".... Let me correct you, that isn't a Opera. It's like, a broadway opera which is different from the real Operas.

I've seen "A Night In Venice".. Don't know if you know about it.
I love "La Nozze Di Figaro", "The Magic Flute", "La Boheme" and "Carmen".. But never seen them live. Though I so would want to do that. =) <3

Answer 3

I've never been to an opera but honestly...I'm constantly looking for three specific ones that I'd very much like to attend. They are all by Mozart. Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro.

I suspect if you can go to either one of these three you'll be happy that you did.
For info on them...well...it's the Internet. I'm sure if you typed in their titles (in quotation marks" you'll find a synopsis for each.

I tip my hat to you madam. For having the desire to feed your cultural appetite and seek out information to the same.

Answer 4

Do you mean opera? Yes, I been to many operas. If you're going to see just one in your lifetime, make sure it's a good one done by a great professional opera company. The quality of the performers and the orchestra is a big factor in your enjoyment of opera. I'd suggest you see "Madam Butterfly" for its gorgeous music and stunning story.

Answer 5

I saw Phantom of the Opera many years ago at the Wang Center in Boston. I loved it. I would start with a story you like and enjoy in english before moving into the Italian operas.

Answer 6

I have seen (just this year) Don Giovanni, which I loved, I thought it was hysterical.

Thais, I love it because it's in French.

A Month in the Country ... awkward English opera. I don't like operas in English, the language is too harsh.

Answer 7

Pardon my understanding of your question. But the first impression I got reading was that you meant "Oprah" show that my daughters watches regularly. They (all three of them) would make wishful thinking whether they would ever be invited in any of the Oprah's show (to get some spectacular and imaginative prizes!).

It now seems that I am the only fish out of the water! As nobody thought about that Oprah at all!! (LOL)

Answer 8

Yes - I`ve been twice in my life. Each time to Covent Garden in London and each time (sheer coincidence) to see La Boheme. Each time taken by a different fellah - didn`t like either of them but loved the opera - every other fellah doesn`t like opera. End of story!!!!

Answer 9

I've been to a couple. Violetta was good and it was incredible to watch the heroine sing an aria while she lay dying over someone's lap. I'm not sure I could sing at all draped over the floor like that. I enjoyed it.

Answer 10

Madame Butterfly. It was beautiful and tragic.