Posted by Anonymous on Jul 30, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
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Posted by and_it_spoke on Jul 30, 2007 · Member since Dec 2005 · 893 posts
Barber of Seville, if only in tribute to Bugs Bunny.
Although La Traviata is nice from what I recall.
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Posted by jenniferhughes on Jul 30, 2007 · Member since Aug 2006 · 1828 posts
Choose one that you can get into the story with... when you go to see an opera you need to know the story beforehand. Personally I'd choose, La Trav or Nabucco.
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Posted by humboldt_honey on Jul 30, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 12529 posts
If OperaChick doesn't chime in here, bump it back up to the top so she can see it.
I don't know much about opera. If you're like me, it's a toss up between an opera where parts sound familiar or an opera with a good storyline.
I more readily recognize music from La Traviata and The Barber of Seville, but I don't like either storyline. La Traviata is a soap-opera-ish love story complete with Days of Our Lives ending and Il Barbiere di Siviglia (to me) is about male alpha power.
I don't recognize as much music from Aida or Nabucco, but the storylines are better. I'd personally go with Aida.
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Posted by humboldt_honey on Jul 30, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 12529 posts
Three posts recommending all four. We're not much help. ;D
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Posted by lotus42 on Jul 30, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 3081 posts
It depends on what kind of production you want. Aida is a HUGE production when done full scale. If I remember correctly, Nabucco is fairly grand as well. The Barber of Seville would be the one to see if you're in the mood for something a little lighter, and like HH said, La Traviata is kind of "soap opera-ish." Personally, if I had the chance to see Verdi opera IN ITALY...I would go with Aida.
To assist in your decision, I suggest going to the library and checking out CDs of each opera. I have a great recording of Leontyne Price as Aida. I would definitely recommend that. Also, La Traviata with Joan Sutherland as Violetta and Pavarotti as Alfredo.
These are just some suggestions. As mentioned before, Operachic probably has some words of wisdom.
Oh..and I am SOOO jealous of you!
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Posted by OperaChic on Jul 30, 2007 · Member since Jan 2007 · 661 posts
I love Verona! I'm so excited for you. You are more likely to recognise the music from Traviata and Barbiere, and those would be the ones I would recommend because of this. Nabucco and Aida are great operas as well, and Aida may have live animals. (Nabucco & Aida are heavier musically, and Aida especially is very difficult to sing well....especially for the tenor in the first act. You may hear BETTER singing if you go to the lighter operas, Trav & Barber.) Of the operas you've listed my favorite by far is Traviata...but I also sing that role, so I'm biased. :D
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Posted by pranabelly on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 110 posts
The Arena in Verona is most famous for Aida. La Traviata is amazing too, however, and is less likely to sell out. (My mom is Veronese).
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Posted by OperaChic on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Jan 2007 · 661 posts
Whatever opera you end up seeing, be sure to read the translation of the libretto (the lyrics) before you go, unless you're fluent in Italian...and maybe even then it would be helpful. If you can manage it, get yourself some binoculars/opera glasses before you go. You can use them again, so they aren't a waste of money if you like theatre, broadway shows and opera.
Also - if you're in NYC, be sure to check out the real Aida at the Met. The one on Broadway is only inspired by the original...it's not the opera. The Met's production is pretty awesome. The sets are amazing. (They do use live animals also.) Also, opera is actually cheaper than Broadway shows. You can get into the cheap seats (bring your opera glasses) for around $25. I don't recommend standing room.
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Posted by Tofu.is.for.lovers. on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Jul 2007 · 123 posts
Luuucky! Verona is so beautiful, and I can't imagine that there's anything like watching an opera in such a grand arena. To pitch in my two cents...La Traviata is a good one (okay, it is a bit soap-opera-ish and dramatic..but hey, it's opera!), and I'm sure you'll recognize some of the music. I second reading a translation of the libretto beforehand..I'm fluent in Italian (actually from Verona), and I occasionally still have trouble understanding the performers, as the vibrato can be overwhelming. Whichever you choose, I'm sure it will be fabulous. Enjoy!
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Posted by yabbitgirl on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Apr 2006 · 14266 posts
OC is right about the tenor in Aida...if you get a good one it's VERY good, if not...well, not. But I would sit through a lot to hear the Bell Song!
As a person living in Seville, the Barber--well, it's a standing joke here. But OK and light, toe-tapping music (if that's poss with opera!)
At least you'll recognize a lot of the music from Trav.
You may have to write them all on bits of paper, close your eyes and stab with a pin! We're no help! :D
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Posted by lotus42 on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 3081 posts
I agree with Operachic about Aida. Don't discount it based on the Broadway production. I've never had the fortune to see it live, but even watching the DVD is amazing! Isn't La Traviata the opera Richard Gere takes Juila Roberts to see in Pretty Woman?
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Posted by OperaChic on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Jan 2007 · 661 posts
lotus, yes...the opera they go to in Pretty Woman is Traviata. Also, the story line for Moulin Rouge takes quite a bit from Traviata (and La Boheme). The music from Traviata is very famous...but the most famous is the cabaletta Sempre Libera. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9CzZjIK6iA
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Posted by lotus42 on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 3081 posts
Operachic, I would love to discuss some opera with you! I'm not a vocalist, but I have a master's degree in music history and did some opera lit study in grad school. I absolutely love opera, but don't get much exposure now that I'm out of school. The opera director at my university died a few years ago, and in cleaning out his office, the staff put his collection of opera cassettes in hallway for the taking. Luckily, a friend of mine snagged them for me! So I have a pretty good collection (eventhough they are on cassette ::)).
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Posted by OperaChic on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since Jan 2007 · 661 posts
Barber of Seville, if only in tribute to Bugs Bunny.
Although La Traviata is nice from what I recall.
Choose one that you can get into the story with... when you go to see an opera you need to know the story beforehand.
Personally I'd choose, La Trav or Nabucco.
If OperaChick doesn't chime in here, bump it back up to the top so she can see it.
I don't know much about opera. If you're like me, it's a toss up between an opera where parts sound familiar or an opera with a good storyline.
I more readily recognize music from La Traviata and The Barber of Seville, but I don't like either storyline. La Traviata is a soap-opera-ish love story complete with Days of Our Lives ending and Il Barbiere di Siviglia (to me) is about male alpha power.
I don't recognize as much music from Aida or Nabucco, but the storylines are better. I'd personally go with Aida.
Three posts recommending all four. We're not much help. ;D
It depends on what kind of production you want. Aida is a HUGE production when done full scale. If I remember correctly, Nabucco is fairly grand as well. The Barber of Seville would be the one to see if you're in the mood for something a little lighter, and like HH said, La Traviata is kind of "soap opera-ish." Personally, if I had the chance to see Verdi opera IN ITALY...I would go with Aida.
To assist in your decision, I suggest going to the library and checking out CDs of each opera. I have a great recording of Leontyne Price as Aida. I would definitely recommend that. Also, La Traviata with Joan Sutherland as Violetta and Pavarotti as Alfredo.
These are just some suggestions. As mentioned before, Operachic probably has some words of wisdom.
Oh..and I am SOOO jealous of you!
I love Verona! I'm so excited for you.
You are more likely to recognise the music from Traviata and Barbiere, and those would be the ones I would recommend because of this. Nabucco and Aida are great operas as well, and Aida may have live animals. (Nabucco & Aida are heavier musically, and Aida especially is very difficult to sing well....especially for the tenor in the first act. You may hear BETTER singing if you go to the lighter operas, Trav & Barber.) Of the operas you've listed my favorite by far is Traviata...but I also sing that role, so I'm biased. :D
The Arena in Verona is most famous for Aida. La Traviata is amazing too, however, and is less likely to sell out.
(My mom is Veronese).
Whatever opera you end up seeing, be sure to read the translation of the libretto (the lyrics) before you go, unless you're fluent in Italian...and maybe even then it would be helpful. If you can manage it, get yourself some binoculars/opera glasses before you go. You can use them again, so they aren't a waste of money if you like theatre, broadway shows and opera.
Also - if you're in NYC, be sure to check out the real Aida at the Met. The one on Broadway is only inspired by the original...it's not the opera. The Met's production is pretty awesome. The sets are amazing. (They do use live animals also.) Also, opera is actually cheaper than Broadway shows. You can get into the cheap seats (bring your opera glasses) for around $25. I don't recommend standing room.
Luuucky! Verona is so beautiful, and I can't imagine that there's anything like watching an opera in such a grand arena.
To pitch in my two cents...La Traviata is a good one (okay, it is a bit soap-opera-ish and dramatic..but hey, it's opera!), and I'm sure you'll recognize some of the music. I second reading a translation of the libretto beforehand..I'm fluent in Italian (actually from Verona), and I occasionally still have trouble understanding the performers, as the vibrato can be overwhelming.
Whichever you choose, I'm sure it will be fabulous. Enjoy!
OC is right about the tenor in Aida...if you get a good one it's VERY good, if not...well, not. But I would sit through a lot to hear the Bell Song!
As a person living in Seville, the Barber--well, it's a standing joke here. But OK and light, toe-tapping music (if that's poss with opera!)
At least you'll recognize a lot of the music from Trav.
You may have to write them all on bits of paper, close your eyes and stab with a pin! We're no help! :D
I agree with Operachic about Aida. Don't discount it based on the Broadway production. I've never had the fortune to see it live, but even watching the DVD is amazing! Isn't La Traviata the opera Richard Gere takes Juila Roberts to see in Pretty Woman?
lotus, yes...the opera they go to in Pretty Woman is Traviata. Also, the story line for Moulin Rouge takes quite a bit from Traviata (and La Boheme).
The music from Traviata is very famous...but the most famous is the cabaletta Sempre Libera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9CzZjIK6iA
Operachic, I would love to discuss some opera with you! I'm not a vocalist, but I have a master's degree in music history and did some opera lit study in grad school. I absolutely love opera, but don't get much exposure now that I'm out of school. The opera director at my university died a few years ago, and in cleaning out his office, the staff put his collection of opera cassettes in hallway for the taking. Luckily, a friend of mine snagged them for me! So I have a pretty good collection (eventhough they are on cassette ::)).
Cool!