~Opera Lovers~

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 8:55 pm

i love opera, and operetta as well, such as gilbert and sullivan, so witty!~~~ when i was a kid my dad played a lot of opera on weekends when he was working around the house, i complained loudly! but it must have sunk into my pores since i love it now. hate the german stuff, but adore the italian. i have many favorite arias and artists. one of my most sentimental possessions is a collection of original 1913 records of the great caruso, i will donate them to the smithsonian one day, they are priceless. anyone here enjoy opera? and what pieces are your favorites?

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:45 am

I was never into Opera myself. When I visit some friends for dinner, they always put on some common italian singing his lungs out.

I am, I have to admit a classic fan. Play me some Vaughan Williams for the evening dinner

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:17 am

Scrat, you crack me up! most operas are NOT in Latin, but italian or French. the german operas are ridiculously heavy and horrible, but if you ever really listened to Butterfly or Aida or Carmen or Tosca or any other classics you could change your mind! the music is not only lush and the voices amazing, but the stories are high drama, make anything modern look insipid, you get passion, murder, love, betrayal, infidelity, war, revenge, just name it! ~~~~and when i hear Pavarotti hit high C i am brought to my knees!~~~~~~~~~as for opera house, there is nothing more elegant than the Met or La Scala...watch Cher in "moonstruck", that's ME at the Met! died and gone to heaven.

Post by **spot** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:38 am

You'll enjoy London, if you're moving to England, Lady. Covent Garden is a terrific Opera venue.

The oddest performance I saw there, was during Lionel Friend's time, when they did The Plumber's Gift by David Blake. It was sung in English, set in an hotel, and I wish I'd had the libretto to read because it made very little sense at the time and even less since. One day I'll go and see it again, it might work the second time round.

Have you ever followed an Opera plot and thought hey, that was a great story? Well, apart from Carmen, anyway? If the answer's yes, it must have been by Verdi.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:45 pm

Well I really loved the scene in Shawshank Redemption when he plays

a record in the warden's office and pipes it throughout the prison.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:30 pm

posted by scrat

What is it with women and opera? I just don't get it. Why sit and listen to a bunch of people sit and scream at you? IN LATIN!!!!

The reason I really like my girls gay friend is becuase he seems to like everything that I don't, like opera.

I can sit at home or go to the bar up the street and get in touch with my inner ape watching a football game while they go to the opera.

You couldn't get me into an opera house with a meathook and a 4x4.

It has to be a truly horrible experience.

Depends which one you go to. How about the Rocky Horror Show, Little shop of horrors (compulsory viewing for all dentists), Tommy?

It's like most music genres, some is really good some is really bad. Like an LP where you have to put up with the crap to get to the really good bits and the wait makes it better. Open your mind just bear in mind some of this stuff was the satire of it's day controversial enough to get banned from performing. You can miss a lot by being prejudiced. Imagine no rock and roll because it's black music. No country musoic because it's redneck music.

Stop being such a wimp.

You like Russian stuff, How about Stravinsky, the firebird suite or petrouschka explore the decadence that so offended Stalin.

Carmina Baruna is a based on a collection of erotic poetry that is in fact incredibly pornographic, one of the funniest TV events I have ever seen is that being performed with subtitles -it's in latin but they had subtitles, if it were in English it would have been banned as obscene.

Go see the Rocky Horror show with your girls gay friend and dress for the occasion, he'll love you forever

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:54 pm

hey GMC~~let's do the time warp again!!!!! whoohooo!!!!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:32 pm

spot wrote: You'll enjoy London, if you're moving to England, Lady. Covent Garden is a terrific Opera venue.

The oddest performance I saw there, was during Lionel Friend's time, when they did The Plumber's Gift by David Blake. It was sung in English, set in an hotel, and I wish I'd had the libretto to read because it made very little sense at the time and even less since. One day I'll go and see it again, it might work the second time round.

Have you ever followed an Opera plot and thought hey, that was a great story? Well, apart from Carmen, anyway? If the answer's yes, it must have been by Verdi. hi Spot, yes i look forward to covent garden....and besides verdi, puccini! :yh_worshp :yh_flower :yh_flower :yh_flower

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:44 pm

then Scrat you are salvageable! which ones did you see? maybe they were gawdawful german ones...i went to see a german opera, lohengrin, (sp.?) and i was laughing so hard at the brunehilde character i had to remove myself from the opera house!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sun May 01, 2005 8:16 am

this is operetta not opera, but funny as hell...from gilbert and sullivan...From the album "H.M.S. Pinafore"

SIR JOSEPH:

When I was a lad I served a term

As office boy to an Attorney's firm.

I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,

And I polished up the handle of the big front door.

I polished up that handle so carefullee

That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS REPEATS

As office boy I made such a mark

That they gave me the post of a junior clerk.

I served the writs with a smile so bland,

And I copied all the letters in a big round hand--

I copied all the letters in a hand so free,

That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS.

In serving writs I made such a name

That an articled clerk I soon became;

I wore clean collars and a brand-new suit

For the pass examination at the Institute,

And that pass examination did so well for me,

That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS.

Of legal knowledge I acquired such a grip

That they took me into the partnership.

And that junior partnership, I ween,

Was the only ship that I ever had seen.

But that kind of ship so suited me,

That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS.

I grew so rich that I was sent

By a pocket borough into Parliament.

I always voted at my party's call,

And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.

I thought so little, they rewarded me

By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS.

Now landsmen all, whoever you may be,

If you want to rise to the top of the tree,

If your soul isn't fettered to an office stool,

Be careful to be guided by this golden rule--

Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,

And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!

ugh into Parliament.

I always voted at my party's call,

And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.

I thought so little, they rewarded me

By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS.

Now landsmen all, whoever you may be,

If you want to rise to the top of the tree,

If your soul isn't fettered to an office stool,

Be careful to be guided by this golden rule--

Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,

And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:25 pm

I sing in the shower...........

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:59 pm

Tinseltoes wrote: Although I sing first soprano and I sound ok. I wish I could open my mouth and make that beautiful sound that proper opera singers make. :-1

You're soooo lucky! I LOVE to sing but the other half says I sound like a strangled cat!! :yh_cry :yh_cry

I absolutely ADORE operetta, my all time favourite being the outstanding LES MISERABLES! :yh_clap

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:35 pm

this lovely masterpiece should be on a PBS station near you sometime soon! heavenly! The Three Tenors Christmas

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:43 pm

I love the Opera! I usually attend the Met or the Lyric... I have tickets every year... Gilbert & Sullivan are favorites... there's not a lot I don't like... I don't speak Italian so... a bit of German though... I understand the opera's , at least... English translated though... still haven't gotten accustomed to that quite yet...

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:48 pm

i'm not alone!!! i'm not the only opera lover!

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 7:10 pm

Nope! If you ever need a "date" for a show... you can ring me up! I'll go.

actionfigurestepho · Post by **actionfigurestepho** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:43 am

I've recently been listening to Josh Groban, who is a little too contemporary for classic opera but still rocks my socks. No man can sing an Italian love song like that man can.

Also, the PBS in our area airs opera concerts about once a month, and they're absolutely FANTASTIC. I make the Boyfriend watch them with me, in an attempt to culture him up. And PBS is free! Huzzah!

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:28 am

I have been to the ballet a couple of times (nothing grand) and really enjoyed it.

I have never been to the Opera but I love the music of Andrea Boccelli. I quite often listen to Classic FM on the radio. I love the music, but the presenters are a bit stuffy.

I played the Piano from the age of 7 to 15 and was pretty good....played nearly all classical stuff.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 1:27 am

skittles2004 wrote: I can stand opera for so long!!!!

I think groups like IlDivo and G4 have bought classical music more into the mainstream. G4 are particularly good it's not all classical music, but songs sung in an 'operatic' way. Their version of 'Jersusalem is great.

jacalneko · Post by **jacalneko** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:21 am

Is this thread vacant?

Well guess I came too late to meet you opera lovers.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:45 am

Welcome to FG jacalneko, the thread is only dormant till someone comes along. :-6

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:15 am

G'day Jacalneko and welcome. What is your favourite opera???

Post by **spot** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:06 am

jacalneko;1091280 wrote: Is this thread vacant?

Well guess I came too late to meet you opera lovers.

Ten out of the fifteen posters in the thread are still here and still posting, that's not bad after a two year gap.

Which opera company are you near?

jacalneko · Post by **jacalneko** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:41 pm

Hi, Friends

Nice to see you

I posted this earlier but it didn't showed up here,

so I try to post it again.

I like the most classical operas serious ones, comedies alike.

I have several collections of opera in tapes and DVDs

I like La Boehm, Carman, Tosca, Rigoletto, Madame-Butterfly, Othello, Turandot,

I also like the Pearl fishers, Don-Pasquale and Beethoven’s one only opera FIDELIO. By Jonas Kaufmann.. Too many to list them all.

My favorite singer is Juan Diego Florez. I think he has the most beautiful voice . And there are many more great singers but Florez is one of the top listJ

That is my 2cent opinion LOL

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:44 pm

Scrat;58884 wrote: What is it with women and opera? I just don't get it. Why sit and listen to a bunch of people sit and scream at you? IN LATIN!!!!

The reason I really like my girls gay friend is becuase he seems to like everything that I don't, like opera.

I can sit at home or go to the bar up the street and get in touch with my inner ape watching a football game while they go to the opera.

You couldn't get me into an opera house with a meathook and a 4x4.

It has to be a truly horrible experience.

I'm a woman and I despise it!

Post by **spot** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:01 pm

jacalneko;1091939 wrote: My favorite singer is Juan Diego Florez. I think he has the most beautiful voice . And there are many more great singers but Florez is one of the top listJ This is from his debut season in London, you might enjoy reading it.The Guardian (London) December 20, 1997 - Tim Ashley finds gold in a Donizetti rarity

This year is Donizetti's bicentenary - not that you'd notice much round here: Britain has been remiss in virtually ignoring a composer who, at his best, is one of opera's giants. In redressing this, the Royal Opera has come up with a double first. They've finally got Elisabetta on, 13 years after the famous manuscript was found in the Opera House basement. More importantly, in the form of a 23-year-old Peruvian, Juan Diego Florez, they've found a singer who has the potential to become the great Donizetti tenor of the next generation.

The opera itself won't make musical history. Donizetti wrote prolifically to order. Elisabetta, written for London's Her Majesty's Theatre in the early 1840s, shows every sign of having been flung together. Donizetti revamped one of his earlier successes, Otto Mese In Due Ore (Eight Months In Two Hours), added music from an abortive second version, and shoved in the odd extra aria or two.

Dramatically, it's an engaging picaresque sprawl, rather like a Defoe romp without the sex. Elisabetta, daughter of a wrongly exiled Russian nobleman, treks on foot from Siberia to Moscow in an attempt to clear his name, accompanied by a bumbling imperial courier, Michele. En route, our intrepid heroine achieves the moral redemption of the man who slandered her father, is saved from a fate worse than death by converting a horde Tartars to Christianity, and escapes drowning by clambering onto a floating coffin lid.

Unlike Verdi, however, Donizetti wasn't good at epic, nor did he have much success in producing that Shakespearian mix of comedy and tragedy that the subject needs. It's incredibly long (nearly three and a half hours), and the tone is uneven. Michele gets the best music in Donizetti's wonderful Don Pasquale vein. Elisabetta herself, despite claims to proto-feminist assertion, is uninspiring - single-minded devotion to a cause doesn't lead anywhere in terms of musical or psychological development. The spectacular scenes don't always work, and the Tartar hordes are cute rather than scary.

Florez, in the finest London debut for years, is cast as Potoski, Elisabetta's hapless Papa, who sets out in pursuit of his daughter once she has flown the nest. He's a natural successor to the great bel canto tenors of the sixties like Alfredo Kraus (still going strong) or Cesare Valetti. The voice is not large, though the sound is gorgeous, the long lines exquisitely phrased and the top Cs go on for ever. Good tenors don't grow on trees. One only hopes he won't be pressurised by operatic managements into tackling too much too soon.

jacalneko · Post by **jacalneko** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:54 pm

Hi Spot

Thanks for the very interesting article,

I will read it later:)

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:22 pm

I love going to the opera...my favorites are Madame Butterfly, La Boheme and Les Miserables.

I remember buying the music for Madame Butterfly and listening to the opera for the first time as I was walking along the sea. The music was so beautiful. When I heard the song, "Un Bel Di Vedremo" I had to stop and just cried. I've never heard any song more heartbreaking than that one.

YouTube - Puccini - Madame Butterfly "Un bel di vedremo", Ying Huang