Opera lovers?

skaltezon · 03-05-2012, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

I like La Traviata and La Boheme well enough (as theatrical shows) but almost all operatic vocals turn me off.

I understand -- you'd prefer La Traviata had no singing in it.

myleszz · 04-17-2012, 03:04 AM

Though I haven’t witnessed an actual show, one of my dreams is to watch an opera. I was amazed by the performers, how they managed to sing in great voice by doing an actions and dance in particular.

9symphony9 · 08-11-2012, 12:17 PM

I like Carmen.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 08-24-2012, 06:44 PM

I've only been exposed to Opera through movies but like the idea of going to a concert at some stage.

innerspaceboy · 07-19-2015, 10:45 AM

I'd like to develop a greater appreciation for opera and choral music. Presently I have only two selections in my library - a vinyl collection of Beethoven's choral works (a segment of his Bicentennial Collection) and selections from my copies of the 2-volume 111-disc Deutsche Grammophon Collector's Edition.

For further listening, a friend has suggested highlights and excerpted aria/scenes from:

La Boheme - Puccini
Tosca - Puccini
La Traviata - Verdi
Rigoletto - Verdi
Carmen - Bizet
The Mariage of Figaro - Mozart
Don Giovanni - Mozart
The Magic Flute - Mozart

And as for individual singers (other than the obvious ones like Pavarotti, Domingo, Callas, etc.) he recommends:

Rene Fleming
Angela Gheorghiu
Anna Netrebko
Denyce Graves
Susan Graham
Anne Sofie von Otter
Rolando Villazon
Jose Cura
SImon Keenlyside
Bryn Terfel
Jose van Dam
Nathan Gunn

I'd love additional input regarding other suggested listening, key labels to watch for, conductors, choirs, etc.

[EDIT: UPDATE] I populated a custom RYM list of the highest-rated opera recordings of all time. I've compiled lossless archives of each recording and prepared a playlist of the operas for my 9-5s at the office. Looking forward to taking them in!

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Ludwig Suthaus / Kirsten Flagstad
Tristan und Isolde (1953)

Orchestra and of La Scala Opera House, Milan / Chorus of La Scala Opera House, Milan / Victor De Sabata
Teatro alla Scala: Tosca (1953)

Vienna Philharmonic / Georg Solti / George London / Kirsten Flagstad / Set Svanholm / Gustav Neidlinger
Das Rheingold (1959)

Philharmonia Orchestra / Philharmonia Chorus / Carlo Maria Giulini / Eberhard Wächter / Joan Sutherland / Luigi Alva / Gottlob Frick / Elisabeth Schwarzkopf / Giuseppe Taddei / Piero Cappuccilli / Graziella Sciutti
Don Giovanni (1961)

Philip Glass
Einstein on the Beach (1979)

Wiener Philharmoniker / Georg Solti
Salome (1962)

The Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra & Chorus / Dennis Russel Davies
Akhnaten (1987)

Wiener Philharmoniker / Wilhelm Furtwängler / Martha Mödl / Ludwig Suthaus / Leonie Rysanek / Ferdinand Frantz / Gottlob Frick / Margarete Klose
Die Walküre (1954)

**Frownland** · 07-21-2015, 09:34 AM

It's not necessarily operatic, but I really like Three Voices for Joan La Barbara by Morton Feldman. I think you'd appreciate it if you haven't heard it already, isb.

innerspaceboy · 07-21-2015, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

It's not necessarily operatic, but I really like Three Voices for Joan La Barbara by Morton Feldman. I think you'd appreciate it if you haven't heard it already, isb.

I was hooked right at the Opening! I'd previously only been familiar with Rothko Chapel, so I'll certainly be looking for more of his work. Thanks!

skaltezon · 09-21-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwt7000

Best new opera singer, a toss-up between Jackie Evancho and Barbara Padilla, who both were once contestants in America's Got talent.

.

It's interesting that Padilla and Evancho sang the same 'O mio babbino caro', since that makes a direct comparison that much easier. But we're comparing an adult with a child. I preferred Evancho's performance, even though her child's lungs hold her back a bit. Great potential there.

Jackie Evancho

America's Got Talent YouTube Special - Jackie Evancho - YouTube

Barbara Padilla

Barbara Padilla's 1st Audition America's Got Talent 2009 HQ - YouTube

.

08-24-2012, 06:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Scarlett O'Hara Make it so Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,775	I've only been exposed to Opera through movies but like the idea of going to a concert at some stage. __________________ "Elph is truly an enfant terrible of the forum, bless and curse him" - Marie, Queen of Thots

07-21-2015, 09:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	It's not necessarily operatic, but I really like Three Voices for Joan La Barbara by Morton Feldman. I think you'd appreciate it if you haven't heard it already, isb. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

04-17-2012, 03:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
myleszz Groupie Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 4	Though I haven’t witnessed an actual show, one of my dreams is to watch an opera. I was amazed by the performers, how they managed to sing in great voice by doing an actions and dance in particular.

08-11-2012, 12:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
9symphony9 Groupie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5	I like Carmen.