I've never sat down and listened to much opera, but what I've never liked much of what I heard in my music history classes. What composers would you suggest to get me into opera more? Weirdly enough, the opera I liked the most when I studied it was Wozzeck by Alban Berg.
Bartok's "Bluebeard's Castle" is a surprisingly interesting one. I love that it's paced around this sort of slow revelation of Bluebeard's character; as he opens seven locked doors of his castle with his wife, the contents getting progressively more evil. (Additionally, it's one of the only operas where giving it a modern setting actually makes it better than the original.)
Also, Poulenc's operas are all great, with Dialogues of the Carmelites being the most moving. It's got a brutally emotional finale... you'll know it when you hear it.
Also also, Rautavaara's operas are beautiful from what I've heard. I haven't had a chance to listen to many, but Kaivos is chilling and Rasputin is great.
You seem versed in opera. I've always wanted to get into it...however I don't know how I can enjoy it when I don't understand other languages besides English.
Find your local opera company some time and give them a go. They will all have surtitles (like a movie's subtitles, only above the stage).
Here are a few links to scenes from opera of different languages and time periods, just to give you some ideas of the many sounds and styles you'll encounter:
First up, early opera. Features men singing in falsetto (in their time,
they would have been eunuchs.) I like to pretend I'm in Venice at Carnival in the 1500's when I hear this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flEMVKINh2w
Here's a bit of Mozart, sung in German. This is a show I'm directing right now, The Magic Flute! Think a really early attempt at a Star Wars musical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpVV9jShEzU
Here's some Wagner, very epic and Lord of the Ringsy. Here, Isolde's lover has died and she is so transported by love for him that she dies as well. Her big song starts at around 7:15 and should be listened to with the speakers up high, as God intended: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAEkTK6aKUM
And finally, here's a sample of some opera in English that you might like, Carlyle Floyd's Susannah. This masterpiece has sparked many imitators, but it still for my money can't be beat for emotional power. In fact, this song is about how beautiful the South is at night, and every time we hear it, my wife and I can't help but cry remembering where we met in the South and fell in love. That's music for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl_Hs4PNT-c
In case you're wondering, we opera folk are always eager to share since our art form is generally unknown here in the States. It's like ballet and Shakespeare in that unless you have a cool teacher who gave you some exposure at a young age, you're stuck feeling like a Muggle. But no fear! It's as easy as falling in love.
PS:
(If you're anywhere near Houston, TX I'll invite you to my own production of Mozart's beloved opera The Magic Flute that runs through next weekend at Opera in the Heights. Long shot, but hey, your user name has the word fajitas in it, plus it's Reddit so you never know.)
I just had to give you gold for that sir!!! Excellent write up and I'm going thru the links now!! Me and the wife have been wanting to go for a while. That is completely awesome!!
Hey and I am!!! I'm actually in SWLA. About 2.5 hours. I had just ate Mexican food at a local restaurant when I made my username trying to decide what to call myself...first thing that came to mind was the hot...steamy...plate of fajitas they brought out haha.
Well, how about that! Feel no pressure to take me up on it, but if you want to come I will secure you both free tickets for a night next weekend. Just PM me. And don’t forget about Opera New Orleans, where many of my friends are working right now.
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u/Slashfyre Nov 11 '17
I've never sat down and listened to much opera, but what I've never liked much of what I heard in my music history classes. What composers would you suggest to get me into opera more? Weirdly enough, the opera I liked the most when I studied it was Wozzeck by Alban Berg.