Just wondering if anyone here is an opera (and classical/vocal music) fan? I mean things like arias, etc.
Anyone here an opera fan?
- Thread starter normisanas
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Ha ha, I like to sing Queen of the Night and the aria from Carmen in the shower every night. I think my neighbours hate me 
Those are not operas, they're musicals.
There is something beautiful about the Opera ... I remember the first time I went I never had a clue what was being said yet I could feel the emotion ...pretty cool :thumb:
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I enjoy the opera especially in Europe. The old opera houses are great. I find it a great place to sit back and relax with a beautiful SP by my side. I got a box in Prague for the Rusalka and this wonderful SP, Kate, and we did it in the box until the usher caught us and asked us to leave. Oh well it was good while it lasted. Don't ask me about the Opera I did not see much of it.
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LADY-VIA
I have never been to an opera, however its something i have always wanted to see.. Im facinated by how emotionally moving it is I myself dont really tune in, however I really wouldnt know where to start if I did or great people to listen to However when i hear other people playing it, or see it in movies I do really enjoy it
I myself dont really tune in, however I really wouldnt know where to start if I did or great people to listen to However when i hear other people playing it, or see it in movies I do really enjoy it 
Opera is something I've always had a love for.
Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot is probably one of the most powerful pieces of music ever written in my opinon.
Growing up in our house, dad loved opera and we heard all from La Traviata, Nabucco, Don Giovanni, Il Trovatore, Carmen, Rigoletto, La Bohem and Aida just to name a few.
Actually saw Aida in the Arena di Verona in Italy which is open air and hundreds of years old. The accoustics are so perfect that they use microphones. Cool part is they actually use real animals for the grand march. when you're 12th row from a full sized elephant it just makes it a little more cool. It's coming to Vancouver shortly but it won't be the same. Especially if they try to modernize it like they seem to try to do lately.
Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot is probably one of the most powerful pieces of music ever written in my opinon.
Growing up in our house, dad loved opera and we heard all from La Traviata, Nabucco, Don Giovanni, Il Trovatore, Carmen, Rigoletto, La Bohem and Aida just to name a few.
Actually saw Aida in the Arena di Verona in Italy which is open air and hundreds of years old. The accoustics are so perfect that they use microphones. Cool part is they actually use real animals for the grand march. when you're 12th row from a full sized elephant it just makes it a little more cool. It's coming to Vancouver shortly but it won't be the same. Especially if they try to modernize it like they seem to try to do lately.
Go see the HD similcasts from the N Y Met at your local theatre....although the season is over for this year.......a heads up...with intermission, the shows are 3 to 4 hours long....and book early as most of the elderly season ticketholders book the best seats.....they happen live Saturday mornings, and are re-run.....and tickets are about $25 each
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/liveinhd/LiveinHD.aspx
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/liveinhd/LiveinHD.aspx
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opera primarily features male and female singers supported by a symphony orchestra......travel to New York, accommodations, tickets for sold out shows.....$5,000......going to your local theatre for a live HD performance...$25.....Ehhh....if someone truly loves the music, they shouldn't mind sitting in a theatre for 3-4 hrs.
Music of any sort is just so much more powerful and impactful when you're soaking it up live in person
Carreras is the "secret favourite" of many. His very emotive and raw style, plus his personal tragedy and special friendship with Placido Domingo win people's hearts. Yes, everybody talks about Pavoratti and for those who seek the consumate entertainer there is Domingo, but Carreras was the underdog and arguably the better talented of all of them.
I think the guy is flat compared to his peers. I like him, I like even his singing, but he was an engineered opera star if ever there was one.
I prefer the song in Italian too, but it's still a crossover song. It's too bad that the composers of today are no comparison to those in even the early 20th century (is real musicality dead?). That song is really just a pop song, isn't it? By the way, the Italian lyrics are as awful as the English ones.Here's the American version with Sarah Brightman of Andrew Lloyd Webber musical fame. Still very pretty but I prefer the song in Italian
With you, I will go. On ships, over oceans, ... etc.
Well I'll probably be there. Preferably alone!.....I don't suppose anyone's looking for a date to Aida?
However.... for those who want a nice date, there is always the Pan Pacific every other Saturday night, an experienced NY-based tenor and guest sopranos perform at the Italian buffet. $50 per person, the food is very good and so is the singing. You'll hear all the popular ones, Nessun Dorma and all the rest ad naseum. Not a bad evening if you're dying for it but can't wait for Vancouver Opera to get their shit together and bring us something really good.
Just love the duet with Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, that was just brilliant and wrenching at the same time
That's actually a great way to see Opera if you can't see it live. Even if you COULD see it live, it's still a great way to see it because the class of performance at the Met is levels above what we get here.
Besides that, it's in brilliant HD, the screen is huge and you know what the big advantage is? They do those shows JUST for the cameras, which freely zoom in and roam right on stage. The effect is like having better than the best seats in town.
However, if at the Queen Elizabeth, rows 7 to 10 center is just about the right view to see the singers breathe and hear their voices in total clarity. I went to Beethoven's Ninth sitting center row 8 and it was unbelievable and unforgettable.
Here's some samples
Everyone talks about the Big Three, or Bocelli, but really there are other huge names that never get mentioned.
Juan Diego Florez, singing "A Te, O Cara" in the Bellini's "I Puritani". Just listen to him hit the C5! A true Bel Canto singer!
The same song, but sung by Lawrence Brownlee (an ex-gospel singer - you can hear the lineage)... this guy has amazing range. What coloratura!
For those curious, you should google the lyrics. Beautiful, romantic, poetic.
Everyone talks about the Big Three, or Bocelli, but really there are other huge names that never get mentioned.
Juan Diego Florez, singing "A Te, O Cara" in the Bellini's "I Puritani". Just listen to him hit the C5! A true Bel Canto singer!
The same song, but sung by Lawrence Brownlee (an ex-gospel singer - you can hear the lineage)... this guy has amazing range. What coloratura!
For those curious, you should google the lyrics. Beautiful, romantic, poetic.
Here's a song that is sure to be a favourite for everyone...
"O Mio Babbino Caro", which Maria Callas made famous in modern times. But as great as she is, I think no one beats Angela Gheorghiu's (my favourite soprano) version:
But this one by the young Carmen Monarcha is sure to kill off all the guys in the audience:
"O Mio Babbino Caro", which Maria Callas made famous in modern times. But as great as she is, I think no one beats Angela Gheorghiu's (my favourite soprano) version:
But this one by the young Carmen Monarcha is sure to kill off all the guys in the audience:
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Ha ha, I like to sing Queen of the Night and the aria from Carmen in the shower every night. I think my neighbours hate me
Those are not operas, they're musicals.
I'm a guy -they're all the same to me. Although, I do like said opera.
Opera + New Wave + Outer Space = Unique sounds of opera from Nomi land!
...of course though Angela Gheorghiu is simply amazing, I've fallen in love
