2007-06-15 05:18:52 · 21 answers · asked by Gary2108 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Classical
I'd recommend Mozart's The Magic flute. It's more fun than most, fairly straightforward in plot and has some amzing music- not a dud in the whole piece. It's also fairly short as operas go, and that's a GOOD thing.
Failing that, Die Fleidermaus, by Johann Strauss is a lot of fun, and again packed with good tunes.
Best to see them sung in English to start with, and i'd recommend reading a precis of the plot before you go- that way you wont be too focussed on working out what's going on to enjoy the show.
Lots of votes coming in for Don Giovanni now- I don't fall out with that- It's stunning: funny, poignant and dramatic by turns, and musically faultless.
2007-06-15 05:26:30 · answer #1 · answered by nealo d 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree that an opera by Mozart or Rossini could be a good starting point. I, too, am partial to Mozart's "Magic Flute," which is very "accessible" for a newcomer to opera. Try watching a performance on video, to "audition" it, before going to see a live performance. I'd specifically recommend the "movie version" made by the famous Swedish director, Ingmar Bergman, back in the 1970s--it's readily available from Netflix and other such sources. The singing is all very good, and the acting is suburb.
Another good first opera (if you don't mind tragedy) is Verdi's "La Traviata." It's beautiful and deeply moving music, from start to finish. Again I'd recommend a "movie version," Franco Zeffirelli's film from the early 1980s. It stars Placido Domingo (in his prime) and Teresa Stratas, with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra conducted by James Levine--it doesn't get much better than this, folks!
2007-06-15 19:23:08 · answer #2 · answered by clicksqueek 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll second the motion on Gilbert & Sullivan--tho' some purists might object to them being called proper opera...they are more like a Broadway musical comedy...but they are in English, the plots are often broad farces which are still relevant, and they are not as long as full-blown classical opera. You may have trouble finding them performed though. Of those,I'd try HMS Pinafore or the Pirates of Penzance. Hmm, Pirates might be making a comeback, for some reason, you think?
Careful though--I started with Gilbert & Sullivan just light, recreational, use, ya know? and before I knew it I was heavy into the hard stuff--mainlining Die Walkure and Boris Goudanov, oh man...
2007-06-15 17:13:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend "I Pagliacci" by Leoncavallo. With the exception of Gilbert & Sullivan (which are really operettas), other operas recommended are more difficult to get into and may have too much content for a beginner to handle. "Pagliacci" is a short opera but it has everything: great music, simple story, great emotion and tense drama. I would suggest getting a CD of it (or any other opera you decide on), and listen to it several times until you are familiar with the music; you will be more affected by the actual performance when you hear the music in its proper context.
2007-06-16 16:22:13 · answer #4 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've seen several operas and sung in some too. The Magic Flute by Mozart is enjoyable. You don't have to see an opera in English because you always get the entire plot outlined in the Program and the stories are usually rubbish anyhow. Just enjoy the music. Gilbert and Sullivan is fun but it's not opera.
2007-06-16 11:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The first opera I ever went to see was Verdi's La Traviata - I warn you now it will make ytou cry at the end!
A fun one to start with is Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. Bizet's Carmen will have some tunes that you'll probably recognise, and Puccini's Tosca is a fab story and isn't too long
2007-06-19 08:36:54 · answer #6 · answered by toscamo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George Bizet: Carmen. Hand down! Not Mozart not Verdi, Not Puccini!, not Meyerbeer, not Donizetti, Bellini, Mascagni...etc.
Carmen has a fabulously interesting story about counter espionage, love, gun running, passion out of control, daring, bravery, with the world's most FAMOUS music!
After Carmen, perhaps , with subtitles, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. If you want something lighter, try The HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan, or the Pirates of Penzance, ot The Mikado.
2007-06-16 07:41:52 · answer #7 · answered by Legandivori 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I must respectfully disagree with the other responders to your question, whilst Mozart is a good and obvious choice for a first opera, I recommend "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini. It is wonderful and very funny.
My second choice however, would be Mozart's Don Giovanni - which may well be the greatest opera written.
2007-06-15 16:54:14 · answer #8 · answered by Malcolm D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree that anything by Mozart would be great. The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute,The Abduction from the Seragli. I would also recommend La Traviata by Verdi and Carmen by George Bizet.
2007-06-17 12:06:18 · answer #9 · answered by mozartgirl2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what age you are. So I can only propose you my personal path, starting at 13.
Aida, Rigoletto, Traviata, Un Ballo in Maschera, Falstaff, Madama Butterfly, Don Giovanni, Turandot, La Boheme, Norma.
Those were the first 10 (that passed on stage 1970 to 72).
My personal standings are: Otello, Don Giovanni, Tristan. But take some years to get there, don't hurry.
2007-06-16 06:36:03 · answer #10 · answered by the italian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋