Mozart Operas in English

[hornteacher]

I know this borders on sacreligious behavior but I was wondering if anyone can suggest CDs of the "Big 4" Mozart operas sung in English rather than the Italian or German: (Figaro, DG, Cosi, Magic Flute).  My younger students will be able to latch onto the music easier.

[Mozart]

Just teach them Italian, and German.

Notte e giorno faticar
per chi nulla sa gradir
piove e vento sopportar
mangiar male mal dormir!

[Wendell_E]

I agree with Mozart (the poster, not the composer, though I usually agree with the composer as well), but since you asked, the Chandos Opera in English series includes recordings of Figaro, Giovanni, and Magic Flute.  I haven't heard any of 'em, but a friend of mine who's a big Mozart fan loves the Magic Flute (Keenlyside's the Papageno).  They also have an Idomeneo and an older (1967) Abduction from the Seraglio.  There's an old (early '50s) Met recording of Così fan Tutte, but I guess it's out of print since amazon.com only has if from one of their sellers for $79.99.

I don't imagine there's a lot else available in English...

[JoshLilly]

Will they really be able to latch on better if the singing is in English? I've found that English, when in the "operatic" voices, is usually completely incomprehensible. I think that's why Italian works so well for that, it's easy to understand at the exaggerated pitches. I listen to Händel stuff sung in English by native English speakers in "opera voices", and I can't understand a bit of it. Be honest, without ever seeing the text, how much of Messiah would someone really be able to understand, just by listening? I'm just saying, I would predict this would not do what you're thinking it will do. I once heard Mozart's Die Zauberflöte sung in English, and I could only understand the spoken dialogue parts... the sung parts, I could rarely pick out one word here and there (several of the numbers, I literally couldn't with certainty pick out a single word), but I really couldn't understand a bit of it.

Now, I'd have nothing against, say, Die Zauberflöte's spoken lines being spoken in English, but the singing should probably stay how it is, even for the uninitiated.

[head-case]

I find the English Language incomprehensible in operatic singing, even when it is "native."  (In fact, I have often been troubled with English Operas on DVD or CD which don't contain a subtitles or a libretto and which I find difficult to understand.) Subtitles would be adequate, I would think.  (But of course, in the major city where I live literacy is only 60%, so that may be an issue in some locales).

[Mark]

I'm going to go against the tide here and weigh in on the side of hearing Mozart's operas in English (for those who, like me, speak only that language). I bought 'The Magic Flute' in English on Chandos last year, and by listening to it and reading the libretto, I got a very satisfying picture of the story as a whole. I also now enjoy hearing the work in its native tongue, precisely because the experience of hearing it first in English made me appreciate the story.

I'm going to see what I believe will be a semi-staged performance of this work (in English) at the Barbican in London on July 26th.

[Mozart]

If you dont know the language (sometimes even knowing it wont help) you should 1st read the libretto, then watch the opera with subs, then try to memorize which pieces of music go with what part of the text until when you just hear the notes you know what they are saying. English, and IMO German arent the best languages for music.

[hornteacher]

I bought 'The Magic Flute' in English on Chandos last year, and by listening to it and reading the libretto, I got a very satisfying picture of the story as a whole.

Didn't Mackerras do the recording?  He's one of my favorites for Mozart no matter what language.

[Mark]

Didn't Mackerras do the recording?  He's one of my favorites for Mozart no matter what language.

That's right. And very good it is, too.

[Mozart]

Does this website work? It wont load on my crappy computer.

http://www.magicflutefilm.com/

It says you can follow the music from the film.

[bricon]

Does this website work? It wont load on my crappy computer.

http://www.magicflutefilm.com/

It says you can follow the music from the film.

The website works and loads just fine.

Your computer must have a Flash player installed and configured to run that website. If you have Flash installed and the page doesn't load correctly, right click your mouse on a blank area of the webpage and if an Adobe Flash Player "settings" dialogue box opens, check the "allow" field in the "privacy" section. The website should now function properly.

[Mozart]

The website works and loads just fine.

Your computer must have a Flash player installed and configured to run that website. If you have Flash installed and the page doesn't load correctly, right click your mouse on a blank area of the webpage and if an Adobe Flash Player "settings" dialogue box opens, check the "allow" field in the "privacy" section. The website should now function properly.

Cool Thanks! 


But the website isnt as cool as I thought it would be.

[beclemund]

But the website isnt as cool as I thought it would be.

It does look like a very interesting project, tho', so thank you for the link.

[Shrunk]

We took our two daughters, ages 9 and 11, to a performance of the Magic Flute which, though performed in period style, ironically enough was in English.  To "prepare" them for the performance, we let them listen to the Mackerras CD.  They liked the disc and were enthralled by the performance.  They were far from the only kids there, too.

[Mozart]

The only thing thats missing is more pa pa pas when papageno meets papagena.

[Mozart]

I heard the magic flute in English and I think I understood more when it was in German.

[Sarastro]

Die Zauberflote in English....hm  it's a weird habit to translate that opera in different languages, I don't like it! It's magnificent in German!

[Mozart]

Die Zauberflote in English....hm  it's a weird habit to translate that opera in different languages, I don't like it! It's magnificent in German!

As you can see, I used to be very opposed to translating it. But after hearing the chandros one and watching the Bragnah film, I've come to prefer it in English. The English libretto to the Bragnah film is pretty pretty good, but I don't like how they changed the setting. If it's good in Swedish, why not English?

[yashin]

The Chandos 'Opera in English' cd's have been a mixed bag.  Some are excellent - All the Puccini -Tosca, Turandot and La Boheme are all terrific and highly recommended.  The Verdi are more difficult to put into English- i feel that only the La Traviata really comes alive in English.  The Aida, Il Trovatore and Masked Ball all seem to plod along.

The Magic flute i don't particularly like in English.  I just don't like the Tamino.

However, i really enjoy the 'Opera in English' series and buy it when i can.  I agree with Mark that it helps you understand the opera in greater detail so that when you here the classic version in the native tongue it makes more sense.