Opera: The Extravagant Art discussion

In the guise of a "getting to know you" query, here's the obvious one of, "What is your favourite opera?" (Or for those who cannot bear to pick just one, "What are you favourite operas?"). I know, it can be hard to choose...

What drew me originally to the opera, and continues to suck me right in, is the music and the voice. They are some of the few things on this planet that still give me goosebumps. I'm not in opera for the stories or the words per se, because in my opinion, the stories are LIFE. Although Madame Butterfly has some beautiful passages, it's sweeping arias and powerful duets that pull me into La Traviata and La Boheme. Great question Jenna! I'm in New Jersey, where is everyone else?

Dear Aaron
I love La Traviata -- I think that's the first opera I watched and what made me fall in love with opera. I remember watching Zeffirelli's film and how powerful that moment is when Violetta begs Alfredo to love her "Amami Alfredo" before rushing away, in Act II. Love La Boheme, also. My favourite is probably Le nozze di Figaro though.

The first opera I ever saw was probably "La Traviata" too! I really enjoyed it, the show had a passionate story. I really liked "Madame Butterfly" too! I also saw "Grapes of Wrath" Beautiful performance!

Sarah, wish I'd gotten to see Grapes of Wrath. I saw the short documentary on the making of it (in Minnesota) but never saw the actual production itself.

For whatever reason, I am a fan of the classics. While I understand the argument for current productions, as my classics were once current productions, I don't instantly recognize the music, and the music doesn't have the same memories attached (kids cartoons come to mind). I've become more involved in reading what was happening during the creation of these great classics. The first example I can think of is the unification of Italy in the 1800's and what Verdi had to say about it.

I tend to want to see and hear more productions of a few operas, rather than few productions of many different operas...does that make sense? What's your take on it???

Aaron, I am probably like you. I've seen about 22 production of Figaro (when one includes DVDs) -- "more productions of a few"

That said, I'd try to see a good production of an opera (if the tickets are affordable), just to see it and expose myself to something new

But yes, I tend to be a bit of a traditoanalist in my operatic tastes

And I added a poll about favourite operas, also.

Okay, well I've been exposed to classical opera, and also have now been introduced to modern opera, and I'm not sure quite where my loyalties lie.
I think when it comes to classical operas, I enjoy Wagner's operas (Das Rheingold <3) tremendously, due to their size and character. But also, I enjoy Mozart's operas (Idomeneo?), for their simple beauty and accessability. So I tend to be pretty dualistic on this one.
But I have a soft spot for modern operas. I adore Steve Reich's The Cave, Eric Whitacre's Shadows & Wings, Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Christopher Cerrone's Invisible Cities that I saw at VOX 2009, and so on.
Help. Controversy.

Jenna, since you mention Grapes of Wrath, I attach a link to WQED-FM, which will re-broadcast the Pittsburgh Opera's performance of same on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 PM EST. They will rebroadcast Samson & Dalila at the same time on Sept. 12, featuring Stephanie Blythe in the role of Dalila.

http://www.wqed.org/fm/listen.php

MAP, thanks for the link; I appreciate it, though (sadly) I'll be at work when it's broadcasting so probably won't get to hear it.

My first opera was Madam Butterfly in Austen, Texas. I could not find any drama I liked that season, so I impulsively bought season's tickets to the opera. My husband loved opera, and played the records, and I had watched a few on PBS so I was not totally unfamiliar. I'm sure you all know that none of that can compare with being in orchestra seats for a good production Madam Butterfly. During intermission, I heard a man in the seat behind me exclaim to his friend in a loud enthusiastic voice, "How about that tenor!!!!!" I t was the way I used to hear men in Boston say, "How about those Red Sox!!!!" I have seen some amazing dramas both on and off Broadway, but I never before heard that kind of enthusiasm for a performance. Since that unknown man and I both had season’s tickets, I heard him during intermission at the next opera still talking about how much he enjoyed the tenor in Madam Butterfly. I don't know which had a greater effect, Madam Butterfly, or the man in audience, but I was hooked for life. Even when I was on unemployment, I scraped enough loose together for at least one opera.

Carah wrote: But I have a soft spot for modern operas. I adore Steve Reich's The Cave, Eric Whitacre's Shadows & Wings, Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Christopher Cerrone's Invisible Cities that I saw at VOX 2009, and so on.

ETA: Sorry -- do breathe in the appropriate places as you read this -- I seem to need extensive editing here -- but am lazily leaving this as written.

I had not thought of it but would have to agree that I seem to have a bit of a soft spot for experiencing the "new" in opera -- saw a production of The Cave many, many years ago at Irvine Barclay theater. And then, as a huge fan of Kronos Quartet (anyone else a Kronos fan also?), saw a production of Tan Dun's Ghost Opera and another production the title of which never sticks in my memory, and I would think that Different Trains might well be considered a modern opera combining as it does sound effects, music, lmages and voices. Then as a result of a great dual book discussion of Beowulf: A New Verse Translation and Grendel I went to see the premiere of the opera Grendel in LA with some friends and as I said in the other thread -- I rave about it at any opportunity. It featured a lot of giant puppet-like creations and props being a production of the person who created the oversized puppet costuming and props of The Lion King and her husband -- the two of them just happen to be fanatical over Beowulf/Grendel -- and I seem to be likewise in some minor way -- and this production was AMAZING! Four of us attended though and the response was split 50/50 and the other friend who liked it was slightly less enthusiastic than I. Maybe not for everyone but I do think these modern operas stretch us both visually and musically.

The first opera I saw was Electra! I was 19 and thought OMG! But I continued to go with my Mother and have really come to a great appreciation for the art. My favorite has been La Boheme. But I have recently seen La Tosca, live and La Fanciulla Del West in HD and loved them. Going to see ...Del West live in Chicago next week because it was just wonderful with Voigt and Giordani and they will be in Chicago as well.

Rosie, that'll be a treat to see them live and I've heard great things about the Chicago Lyric.

Wow, Elektra strikes me as a difficult opera for a "first" -- I remember watching the film version when I was about 19 and feeling slightly traumatized afterward - it was either the Stratas (c. 1992) or the Leonie Rysanek (c. 1990)...

Exactly! The next opera we saw was Masked Ball with Pavarotti; I was redeemed.

You should see if there are any movie theaters near you which show The Met: Live in HD, the 2010-11 Season. It's wonderful! Web site FATHOMEVENTS.COM.

How about books, what are you reading these days?

Rosie-
I agree with Jenna. Elektra is something to cut off for your first opera experience. Sounds as if you're very venturesome and that you go to the Met HD performances. Are you planning to see Adam's Nixon in China in HD this coming Saturday? While it's contemporary, it's also very approachable.

I don't think I will make it to that one but it does look unique! I think the next one will be Lucia Di Lammermoor.

Rosie--
You'll love it, especially with Natalie Dessay as Lucia. I believe Joseph Calleja is singing Edgardo and he's very good, too.

my favorite opera is TOSCA. Puccini is very good composer.

The Ring. Add Parsifal and Tristan.

Then Monteverdi - Return of Ulysses, Orfeo, Poppea. And then twelve by Handel.

Evertyhing Benjamin Britten. Janacek's House of the Dead for the sake of Dostoyevsky. Salome.

yes :)

I listen to mostly classic operas. My knowledge of the modern is really limited. My favourites are La Traviata and Othello. So you can guess that my favourite composer is Verdi. My first opera is Puccini's Turandot, followed by Tosca.

I began watching opera about 3 years ago and thanks to the miracle of the Internet, namely the Met's Opera on Demand, have gobbled up scores of operas. I like the bel canto dudes: Bellini, Donizetti, and Strauss. I recently have discovered earlier music (baroque) when I watched Rodelinda live in HD last season. I basically watched the whole thing with my jaw gaping. Handel plus countertenor = bliss! Rodelinda is my current favorite followed by I Puritani, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Figaro, etc.

Hoffmann and Figaro are great. They make me laugh when I sad. The comedy in Figaro is particularly amusing. I like the second act of it.

I am currently trying to mozart opera Abduction from the Seraglio (Die Entführung aus dem Serail).This opera is comic and full of love. my character pedrillo . He is very active,in love,smart and inodorous. He's have 2 aria,1 terzet,1 duet and 2 quartet.His lover's name is Bonde.Blonde is very beautiful,attractive and hot.She's a good making love :))

mine is Carmen, cuz i've wanted to be in it ever since i was 13 years old

Saw La Boheme, new production at Lyric last month with Ana Maria Martinez, lovely talent. Next is Rigoletto in March, then the new production of Street Car, in April. I've seen Carmen in Chicago as well a few years ago, was fantastic. One of my new favorites is Le Comte Ory. Saw it in HD last year and heard again on radio this year, with Juan Diego Flores. Just a delight and outstanding singing by Mr. Flores.

I've never heard of La Boheme, what's that about?

Hello! My favorite opera is "Tristan und Isolde" in the 2009 Scala production that is available on DVD (with Waltraud Maier, Ian Storey). Random note: today 5/22, for the 200th anniversary of Wagner's birth, my novella "Isolde 1939" (about a French opera singer who sang for the Nazis - loosely based on actual events), is available for free Kindle download on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Isolde-1939-ebo... Ends at midnight PST. "Tristan und Isolde" was the signature opera of both my protagonist and the real opera singer she's based on, Germaine Lubin.

I also love the Met's new Ring cycle. I guess that tells you about me that I like modern productions a lot!

I love the Mozart/da Ponte operas (Le nozze di Figaro is my favorite), but I also like some Rossini, one Puccini (Tosca), and Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus. I HATE Wagner, and have been told off about it, but, as Prince Orlofsky said, "chacun à son goût!" So... yeah.

My favorite operas are Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and Le Nozze di Figaro( The Marriage of Figaro) by Mozart. I love Mozart's operas because the music is so beautiful.