I just watched the Phantom of the Opera (2004 with Emmy Rossum) for the first time, and I love the music. I'd like to get into opera, but I don't have any knowledge of the genre. I'm not the first one to tell you this that Phantom of the Opera and so are other Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, are not operas, they are musicals.
For a start you might enjoy Puccini's La Boheme and Tosca. Also try listening to La Traviata of Verdi. The music and stories of these are very easy to understand. Also try Mozart's Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro. These are some Classical period operas with recitatives that are easy to appreciate, so you may have a grasp of what Opera really is. You might not like them. Phantom of the Opera is a musical/movie based off of a book. It's not an actual opera. But you might like Madame Butterfly anyways. Phantom of the Opera is a musical. It is not an opera. To see some real opera go onto youtube and type in "opera Rossini" or "Teresa Berganza " or "Sumi Jo".......I think you will be quite shocked. Because you liked "Phantom of the Opera", does not neccessarily translate into likeing opera in general. It's what I think would be properly called a "musical", or Broadway musical, possibly, "operetta".
There's a world of difference between what is usually referred to as "Grand Opera" - hence the "Grand"- and musical stage works of a lesser intensity(no disparegement meant).
If you're really serious, most people would probably suggest an opera of Mozart's: "The Marriage of Figaro", "The Magic Flute", etc.
Or maybe Puccini: "Madame Butterfly", "La Boheme", etc.
Although Wagnerian operas are my favorite, it seems to take a certain "ilk" to be drawn to works of this composer; although almost everyone in the world is familiar with his famous "Ride of the Valkyries", or the "Lohegrin" wedding march. But if you're not a hard core opera lover, best to stay away from Wagner in the beginning. They are in German, and no real good translations existant that are satisfying; and they are very, very, very long. Most people go to sleep during their first exposure to one of his operas(he referred to them as music-dramas). The one possible exception for a first timer, might be "Das Rheingold", The Rhinegold. But it is in only one act: over 2 hrs. long, so be forewarned.
Most people begin with - other than Wagner - the above two mentioned opera composers, or perhaps operas by Verdi: "Aida", suppossedly the most popular opera of all time. Or "Carmen": some say the most perfect opera ever written; and I just might agree.
Enjoy,
Wotan As mentioned above 'The Phantom of the Opera', despite its name, is not actually an opera. If you want to have a listen to some traditional opera, here are some suggestions:
Delibes - 'Flower Duet' (From the opera 'Lakme'. This duet was later 'remixed' and used to advertise British Airways)
Donizetti - 'Una Furtiva Lagrima' (from 'L'Elisir d'Amore'. Donizetti's librettist didn't want this aria in the opera originally, he thoiugh it was stupid. Donizetti got his own way, though, and this aria has gone on to become one of the most well-loved arias of all time)
Dvorak - More famous as a composer of symphonies than of operas, but everyone seems to love 'Song to the Moon' from 'Rusalka'.
Flowtow - Considered a bit 'cheesy' by more 'intellectual' opera fans, 'Ach So Fromm' (from 'Martha'), is nevertheless listened to with great fondness by many.
Mascagni - Intermezzo (from 'Cavalleria Rusticana', made famous by the film 'Raging Bull')
Mozart - Overture (Marriage of Figaro. Even if you think you've never heard any opera, you'll know this one. Also listen to 'Voi che sapete' from the same opera)
Puccini - 'Nessun Dorma' (from 'Turandot', this is the aria that made Pavarotti famous. You might also like the 'Humming Chorus' from 'Madama Butterfly')
Rossini - 'Largo al factotum' (from 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia', this is one of the most famous opera arias of all time. Also try the overtures to 'Guillaume Tell' and 'La Gazza Ladra')
Verdi - Far too many to mention, but try 'Anvil Chorus' (Il Trovatore), 'Brindisi' (La Traviata). 'La Donna e Mobile' (Rigoletto). Also try Renee Fleming's amusing 'Sesame Street' version of 'Caro Nome'.
This is obviously just a very small selection of what is available, but I've checked and all of the above can be seen on youtube. Try buying a compilation album. You might be surprised to find that opera is not just for the musical elite. My nieces (aged three and five) listen to it on a regular basis.
Good luck! Yes like some of the other users have said "Phantom of the Opera" really isnt an Opera. Opera is an aquired taste I think.
One Opera that I highly reccomend is Mozart's "The Magic Flute" I love the arias especially the "Queen of the Night Aria"...there is one movie I can think of off the top of my head that you would probably like, "Rigoletto"...it's kind of like Phantom of the Opera. An older musician whom the townspeople all call a monster and avoid, gives singing lessons to a beautiful young girl and she learns that beauty is within. Actually, Phantom of the Opera, like many of Andrew Lloyd Weber's works, IS an opera...it's a modern-day Rock Opera, and to start with, you should look at his works:
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Jesus Christ Superstar
Evita
Cats
Starlight Express,
His list goes on and on. Check Broadway websites.
Also: try looking up any Broadway Musicals by Stephen Sondheim, also noted for doing "Operas" (well, some, anyway - my favorite is Sweeney Todd, but that's because I saw that one live the first year it opened - spectacular!) He also did one called Into the Woods which is considered an opera.
By Opera, one means that the show is done almost entirely without speaking. And there are several noteable modern shows that fit the mold, in addition to those mentioned above.
Check out Rent - which is a rock opera, based on a classic opera - La Boheme. (a bit high on the dicey language, though - I can't listen to it around small children)
Also: did anyone mention Carmen? That's my favorite classical opera.
I also like arias from Turandot, and Tosca, but I've never had the time to check out whole recordings of the entire show. start with puccini and mozart. their works are 'accessible'. lloyd-weber tries to emulate puccini, so 'la boheme' is likely to be an interesting experience for you. I'd suggest listening to/watching an OPERA, not a Broadway musical.
Start with Mozart. You can't go wrong with any of his operas, really, but the Magic Flute is really wonderful, as is Don Giovanni. And they're both pretty easily accessible. I wold definately start with Mozart's Operas as they tend to be a little "lighter" than say Verdi or Rossini. I would go with "The Magic Flute" first....Followed by "The Marriage of Figaro"...I love "Don Giovanni" (actually has some parallels to Phantom in it)
Oh, and the people who are saying that Weber's work's are not Operas are wrong...They are Rock Operas |
