How to discover opera?

[Henk]

On DVD or cd with reading the libretto? How is it to attend an opera in concert? Do you read the libretto then also?

Henk

[Que]

On DVD or cd / concert with reading the libretto?

Henk

Read the synopsis and then visit a live performance (Amsterdam has supertitling of the texts)

Q

[Solitary Wanderer]

Hi Henk:

I'm fairly new to opera too.

My system is to listen to the CD whilst reading the libretto [having already read the synopsis from my various books].

Then view a DVD.

Then attend a live performance by which time you won't need to look at the surtitles 

I've attended 5 operas in the past 2 1/2 years being:

The Magic Flute
Faust
Lucia di Lammermoor
Turandot
La Bohme

The first two I learnt via English versions and the last three I've bought copies in their original language.

I've also watched the entire Met Ring Cycle & Rigoletto.

Opera is an artform that really needs to be seen as well as heard.

I still prefer instrumental music, but experiencing a few opera's is a richly rewarding exercise.

If I were to recommend a first opera to someone it would be Rigoletto.

[Mozart]

For me, I find it easiest to watch a dvd first, since you can put the subtitles in italian, it helps me memorize the music and words... But I do recommend buying a bottle of extra strength aspirin, learning a new opera for me is 1 massive headache.

[marvinbrown]

On DVD or cd with reading the libretto? How is it to attend an opera in concert? Do you read the libretto then also?

Henk

 
 After spending the past 5 years listening to mostly operas and amassing a CD and DVD collection of well over 50 operas I can honestly tell you that the best way to experience an opera is through DVD recordings with subtitles, you'll need the subtitles even if you speak the language of the opera as it is sometimes hard to make out the words.    A few of marvinbrown's   rules if I may be so bold:

 1) You'll want an opera in its original language! The inflections of the words it is sung in will have a sonorous effect- trust me on this one!
 2) Sample to see what kind of production you like.  Do you like traditional true to the composer's intentions productions  or a modern adaptation, some of these can be quite thrilling.
 3) It is advisable to read the synopsis of the opera so that you are familiar with the plot and characters before you watch the DVD.  
 4) Finally sit back and relax turn the subtitles on to English unless you speak the original language in which case the subtitles should be turned on to that language and enjoy!
 5) You would want to start with an opera with a lot of beautiful melodies/arias that you can hum. My recommendations for a newbie to opera are:    
     
     Mozart's The Magic Flute  (German)
     Verdi's Rigoletto  (Italian)
     Bizet's Carmen  (French)
     Puccini's La Boheme  (Italian)
 
   Finally remember opera should be enjoyable, get into the story, the characters  and hear how they and their actions are linked to the music. Opera is dramatic after all  0:)!  

 marvin

[uffeviking]

I heartily second Marvin's recommendations! Can't do any better than his way - which is also mine! 

P.S.: One exemption: Forget about the Puccini, add Meistersinger von Nürnberg, a light Richard Wagner! - My personal opinion of course, and by the time you have become familiar with operas, you too, dear Henk, are entitled to spout off with your personal opinions. 
-

[Josquin des Prez]

Considering how disgraceful contemporary performances are (cought), i generally use my own imagination this days.

[Mozart]

Considering how disgraceful contemporary performances are (cought), i generally use my own imagination this days.

Thanks for the link...Now i need to wash my eyes out with soap.

[marvinbrown]

Thanks for the link...Now i need to wash my eyes out with soap.

  That makes two of us  .  Wherever did you find that horrendous production Josquin des Prez??

  Note to Henk: Please please do not let this terrible opera production posted by Josquin discourage you from watching operas on DVD.  There are so many GREAT (and I am not exaggerating here!) opera productions on DVD.  GMG has a wonderful thread entitled Opera on DVD where you will find discussion on various DVD recordings.  I have posted there a few times, quite a few times actually  .


  Here's a link to that thread: http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,116.0.html
  marvin

[Wendell_E]

"disgraceful"?   "horrendous"?  A little kiss, A little penis (no offense meant to Mr. Steins.  Maybe he's a "grower"  )  We're not talking about a Bieto production here, people.

I do sometimes prefer to just listen to a CD with the libretto, and imagine my own ideal production.  That's how I really got to know about opera.  But in those pre-video days, with little opera on television and living in a city that only had one opera production per year, but a public library with lots of opera on LPs, it's not as if I a had a lot of choice.

[uffeviking]

Thanks for the link...Now i need to wash my eyes out with soap.

Ridiculous! Are you that easily influenced by a few moments on UTube? Knowledge of the story of Hercules, how he killed a lion and dressed himself with the skin might help in appreciating this outstanding production. Another reminder: There is Vivaldi's music of course and wonderful singing. Zachary Stains is a great acting singer.

No need to wash out your eyes, there are other things going on on stage, simply direct your gaze away from Ercole's flaccid genitals!

[Henk]

 
  5) You would want to start with an opera with a lot of beautiful melodies/arias that you can hum. My recommendations for a newbie to opera are:   
     
      Mozart's The Magic Flute  (German)
      Verdi's Rigoletto  (Italian)
      Bizet's Carmen  (French)
      Puccini's La Boheme  (Italian)
 
    Finally remember opera should be enjoyable, get into the story, the characters  and hear how they and their actions are linked to the music. Opera is dramatic after all  0:)! 

  marvin

I just lent three DVD's:



And Rigoletto by Opera Spanga, a modern interpretation of Rigoletlo.

Henk

[marvinbrown]

I just lent three DVD's:



And Rigoletto by Opera Spanga, a modern interpretation of Rigoletlo.

Henk

  Excellent choices for operas for a newbie.  Both have overtures with famous music you can hum to. Enjoy!

  marvin

[Shrunk]

Henk,

Don't make a big deal about it.  It's just music with a story, don't be intimidated by it's being OPERA.

If there's an opera company in your city, go to some shows.  (Though I agree it's a good idea to famliarize yourself with the music and story from CD's or DVD's first, although I actually find opera, more than most art forms, benefits from being seen live.)  I"ve taken my 10 and 12 year old daughters to a few performances, and now they won't let us go to the opera without taking them.

What city do you live in?  Maybe some people here can give you specific recommendations.

[Josquin des Prez]

More and more i'm reminded just how out of touch with reality liberals truly are. I wonder what the Red Priest would have fought of a bit of man to man action going on his stage.

[knight66]

To be a bit adventurous; here is a remarkable version of a very short Stravinsky piece, a cross between an opera and an oratorio, here it is given a marvelous production. If you can crack this heiratic piece, then Verdi would be very easy. Knowing what this is about is vital.

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lk7sXP5wTY

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=kSOEApbNKUY&feature=related

Mike

[Solitary Wanderer]

Actually Marvin's suggestion of learning the Opera via a DVD is a good one which I'll try next.

I must confess to finding listening to the cd versions a bit exhausting and, sometimes, a chore 

But...I love seeing the live performances so maybe watching a DVD performance a few times pior to an actual live presentation would be more 'fun'.

Like I said in my earlier post:

Opera is an artform that really needs to be seen as well as heard.

[marvinbrown]

Henk,

Don't make a big deal about it.  It's just music with a story, don't be intimidated by it's being OPERA.

  I agree don't make it a chore (IE an academic exercise) it takes the pleasure and joy out of it.  We are not at school here.! That said Wagner, Verdi and Mozart didn't just write ordinary music with a story!  Sometimes when I listen to Wagner's Tristan und Isolde I feel like I am transported to a world far away from this one we are "forced" to live in- and if I may be so bold as to say.........a better world  0:)!

marvin

[Henk]

Henk,

Don't make a big deal about it.  It's just music with a story, don't be intimidated by it's being OPERA.

If there's an opera company in your city, go to some shows.  (Though I agree it's a good idea to famliarize yourself with the music and story from CD's or DVD's first, although I actually find opera, more than most art forms, benefits from being seen live.)  I"ve taken my 10 and 12 year old daughters to a few performances, and now they won't let us go to the opera without taking them.

What city do you live in?  Maybe some people here can give you specific recommendations.

I understand you're point, but the whole is more then the sum of the parts. I just saw The Barber of Sevilla and I liked the experience of it, I have get some feeling for opera. I like that the story is based on music, it's a beautifull concept, with the actors singing what they say.

I live in Groningen, the Netherlands. Next month there's an opera being played, Verdi's La Triviata.

Henk

[Solitary Wanderer]

I should have mentioned in my last post that:

After I've learnt an Opera I never return to the cds. I never sit down and listen to an Act or Aria. [Thats not to say that I won't some time in the future]

For me its a total experience so...

...buying the DVD instead of the cds will be a idea worth investigating