Who likes opera?

Question

I have been told that I have a fantastic opera voice by many people, I have been in two professional operas, but in performing careers it is only fulfilling if people actually enjoy what you are doing... so who actually likes opera?

Answer 1

I think it takes some musical appreciation in order to get acquainted to Opera. It also take some sensitivity. Opera was the greatest art manifestation of the IX Century, you had the script, the clothing, the music, the singing, etc.
Opera is great if you look at as a whole. It takes many voices, each one expresses a different emotion and stage (tenors, baritones, basses, sopranos, contraltos), rich musical arrangements and a superb story-writing (sketch included).
My favorite ones are WAGNER & PUCCINI.
Then VERDI, BIZET & the rest come close.
At the end of the day, if that´s your heart´s desire, pursue it!

Answer 2

I was exposed to all kinds of music as I was growing, so I like a wide variety of musical styles, but opera is one of my favorites. (I did the same for my son, who's now 25, and he also enjoys it.) Granted, it's more popular in Europe than in America, but there are hundreds of opera houses in the States, and even amateur companies that perform opera, so it's hardly a dying art.

Back in 1976, I was chaperone on a field trip to the Metropolitan Opera. The opera was 'The Magic Flute', which I'd seen as a student a decade before on a similar trip from the same high school. Anyway, during the intermission, I got talking with some students from a different school, and asked them how they liked it. Their response was that it was okay, but they couldn't understand what was being sung, even though it was in English. I pointed to the two microphones that hang over the stage, and told them that those are for the Saturday afternoon radio broadcasts, not for amplification in the opera house itself. Well, they were flabbergasted!! They could not believe that the human voice could be heard so clearly in the balconies without help! Even if they never particularly liked opera, they had a greater respect for opera singers.

What it all boils down to is that the audiences are there; if you like singing opera, go for it. You might provide a vital insight and inspiration for another young person someday.

Answer 3

I love opera too! Though it might not be what the public seeks most, I feel there is a consistent and faithful crowd that goes to see opera.

Having a career in music is difficult though, so think it through carefully. Are you a good actress? Are you natural onstage? Are you comfortable with singing in different languages, especially Italian and German? Can you sight read, do you know theory? Sometimes it's not all about the voice.

Also, I recommend listening to other fantastic singers. For example, Renee Fleming sings wonderful German songs...absolutely beautiful. (She was on national television twice during christmas, actually). Also, Cecilia Bartoli is wonderful. And so is Kiri Te Kanawa. See how other people interpret pieces.

Answer 4

I love opera. I was a professional musician before retiring so I played in many pit orchestras with many operas. After retiring, I sang in the chorus and learned to enjoy acting as well.

My favorites are Rigoletto (Verdi) La Boheme, Madame Butterfly (very hard to sing the chorus of the spinning song,) Tosca, The Merry Widow (operetta) and others.

Singing in the various operas such as Carmen lets you become a different character.

Find a very good teacher or voice coach to train your voice.

Answer 5

well opera generally appeals to the more elder. However i am 20 and i like it. I haven't met many young people that like it but i'm sure im not the only one who does. 2 me opera is difficult 2 sing and if u can do it well i'm sure people will appreciate it. I know i do.

Answer 6

Opera is solid. I like it a lot, and I see bigger possibilities for it with modern amplification and audio technology. It was originally designed to be performed in places with no amplification, so I wonder how different it must have sounded. I'm guessing the actual words, whatever language, would be clearer with good sound equipment.
My fave is La Boheme, always has been. Aida rules as well, that's sweet.

Answer 7

Certain opera are appealing, but not all of them. If this doesn't work for you I suggest a backup plan like Broadway, or any other job that can help pay your bills while you try to make it in Opera.

Answer 8

I like Italian opera. German opera sounds clunky. I love Puccini but don't care for other types. I have attended the Marriage of Figaro and enjoyed it, but mostly because there was a libretto and I could read what they were saying. It touches a deep emotional core and can cause me to feel like flying or weeping even if I don't know what they are saying....yes, I guess you could say I like it.

Answer 9

I love opera! Then again, I love most music. But I love how the music tells these complicated stories and they stir so many emotions deep inside you. My absolute favorite opera is La Traviata by Verdi. C'est magnifique!

Answer 10

I like the music and singing -never really seen an opera though--I would go if I could afford it