05-08-2007, 01:42 PM
| #1 (permalink) |
| Science Boy   |  Opera Some time ago I posted a thread on classical music (http://forums.fanhost.com/showthread.php?t=161230). In that spirit, this thread concerns opera. The word opera means "works" in Italian (from the plural of the Latin word opus meaning "work" or "labor") suggesting that it combines the arts of solo and choral singing, declamation, acting and dancing in a staged spectacle. There are two general types of opera; opera seria or serious opera are usually tragic dramas revolving about themes of love or desire and opera buffo or comic opera which often is thinly disguised satire. Opera is a form of theatre in which the drama is conveyed wholly or predominantly through music and singing. Opera emerged in Italy around the year 1600 and is generally associated with the Western classical music tradition. Opera uses many of the elements of spoken theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. Generally, however, opera is distinguished from other dramatic forms by the importance of song and conventions of vocal technique. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra. Opera may also incorporate dance; this was especially true of French opera for much of its history. The words of an opera are known as the libretto (literally "little book"). Traditional opera consists of two modes of singing: recitative, the plot-driving passages often sung in a non-melodic style characteristic of opera, and aria (an "air" or formal song) in which the characters express their emotions in a more structured melodic style. Duets, trios and other ensembles often occur, and choruses are used to comment on the action. For further information see: Opera The following list encompasses some of my favorite operas. I have included an aria or two from the operas (You Tube) and a reference to Wikipedia. I wasn’t able to find everything I wanted on You Tube but I did find a surprisingly large selection (its more than Numa, numa, and LonelyGirl). Where I could, I have referenced the actually recording or video that I own. I hope you will enjoy listening to a few of the selections. Aida - Giuseppe Verdi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aida Celeste Aida, Luciano Pavarotti Triumphal March, Metropolitan Opera Carmen - Georges Bizet - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen Habanera, Julia Migenes Das Rheingold – Richard Wagner - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Rheingold Vorspiel, from the film The New World Descent into Niebelheim, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Entry of the Gods into Valhalla, Bayreuth 1976 production Die Walkure – Richard Wagner - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Walkure Ride of the Valkyries, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Zauberflote Papageno, Papagena duet, The Metropolitan Opera, Hemm & Kilduff Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen, Sumi Jo, Zubin Mehta, Israel Philharmonic (Listen to the high notes this soprano hits!) Gotterdammerung (The Twilight of the Gods) - Richard Wagner - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotterdammerung Siegfried’s Funeral March, Klaus Tennstedt, London Philharmonic Brunnhilde’s Immolation Scene – Anne Evans, Bayreuth Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) - Gioacchino Rossini - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_barber_of_seville Largo al factotum, Tito Gobbi La Boheme (The Bohemians) - Giacomo Puccini - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_boheme O soave fanciulla, Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon Quando me’n vo, Anna Netrebko La Traviata - Giuseppe Verdi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Traviata Di provenza il mar, Giorgio Zancanaro Libiamo ne’lieti calici, Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón, Vienna State Opera and Philharmonic Semper libera, Sumi Jo Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Nozze_di_Figaro Dove sono, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Voi che sapete, Maria Ewing (Every soprano in the world has sung this aria at one time or another.) Lohengrin – Richard Wagner - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohengrin Prelude to Act I – I couldn’t find this on You Tube which is a shame because it is quite a lovely piece of music. Prelude to Act III, Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony Orchestra Madama Butterfly - Giacomo Puccini - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madama_Butterfly Entrance of Butterfly, Mirella Freni and Plácido Domingo (Listen to the final high note Freni hits!) Un bel di vedreme, Mirella Freni Pagliacci (Clowns) - Ruggero Leoncavallo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagliacci Vesti la giubba, Placido Domingo Rigoletto - Giuseppe Verdi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoletto Bella figlia dell’amore, Luciano Pavarotti, et. al. La donna e mobile, Luciano Pavarotti (People were singing this aria in the streets after the opera premiered.) Tosca - Giacomo Puccini - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tosca Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore, Daniela Dessi (The tradition of the soprano kneeing during this aria was begun by accident.) Tristan und Isolde – Richard Wagner - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_und_Isolde Liebestod, Birgit Nilsson Turandot - Giacomo Puccini - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turandot Non piangere Liu, Placido Domingo (How many codas does it take to end the first act?) In questa reggia, Eva Marton |
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05-08-2007, 10:09 PM
| #2 (permalink) |
| Senior Member  | Holy crap, that's an exhaustive post. I've always respected the vocal abilities of well trained opera singers, but I must admit I have had very little exposure to opera, and what I have heard, while impressive, hasn't been something I can honestly say I enjoyed. Perhaps it's an acquired taste, I shall certainly view a few of these videos in the next few days, maybe I can gain a new perspective on it. |
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05-09-2007, 08:12 AM
| #3 (permalink) |
| Kamen Rider Kiva  Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: www.canofnothing.com
Posts: 7,526
| I don't like opera. I wrote a paper on Wagner recently, but I honestly couldn't really stand listening to the music. After analyzing his work, it's impressive what he did, but it's not what I will sit down and listen to to relax. |
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