Opera singer here who loves attending and watching opera. Here are two tips! 1. PBS and TH-cam have free operas in full! Definitely utilize these. 2. Don't be afraid of the cheaper seats. I love sitting far in the back of the house because I love seeing the whole set. I also love really getting a sense of the power of the unmic'd singers by sitting far back. There are no bad seats in most opera houses.
I am a big fan of ballet and musical theatre, but haven’t been exposed much to opera. I guess it’s time to give it another go 😄 Loved the humour in the video 🙈😄 champagne and selfies 🥂😄 Thank you for your videos, Muse 👏❤️
Not an opera buff, but I watched Madame Butterfly once on tv. I didn’t understand a word but I knew the story, and it broke my heart. If you get a good company you can enjoy it.
We’ve been going to the opera for forty five years and have seen hundreds of performances. I can’t imagine my life without opera. Try it you might like it.
Great video for people who are curious about seeing an opera. I've been to a few myself. It really need not be an intimidating experience. Just think of it as a fancier version of live musical where the language spoken/sung is (often) not English. There are modern operatic performances that are sung in English too. I recommend operas by Puccini for beginners. His works tend to have plot lines that progress quickly, are very emotional and still being accessible. Famous pieces by Puccini include Madama Butterfly, La boheme, Tosca, Turandot, all very popular and commonly performed. If you like fabulous music, then operas by Mozart would be a great start, such as The Magic Flute, Cosi fan tutte, The marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovanni.
Wow this is great! We could have easily included this whole excerpt into the video and it would feel quite natural there. Thanks for your feedback and suggestions! 🙏
First opera - definitely Puccini, either Boheme (hint: bring tissue) or Butterfly (hint: bring tissue). Prep - it is SO much easier to prep for your first opera than it was when I went for the first time. Full operas on PBS. Full operas online. DVDs available for rent to the library. Maybe not for your first outing, but you may get grabbed by a particular story and want to dig deeper. Familiarize yourself with the story so you're not splitting attention between the translation over the stage and the action. You may even want to start comparing different performances. There is a great video here on Who sang the Queen of the Night aria the best, where he shows several (6?) performances by various singers doing this extremely difficult Mozart aria (spoiler alert: it's Diana Damru). Attire - there is a famous quote by Birgit Nilsson, a soprano in the 50s and 60s, who was famous for her performances in those heavy Wagner operas. An interviewer once asked her what was the most important thing necessary to sing Wagner. Her answer: "sensible shoes."
Since a lot of opera is in another language, I think that might be something that puts people off. Or because they can't make out what is being said because of the singing. The only opera I've listened to, on youtube, is because I like the intrumental music to it, Bizet's Carmen.
I really wantit to go to the opera, but I dident have the opportunity. So I always sang at home. I asked a lot of opera singers what they think about my voice. I got a lot of positive comments. It's too bad I didn't go to music school. I will go 28 oktober to the Opera concert in Switzerland for the first time. I cant wait till then.Ti hire voice of Ermonela Jaho. I am very excited. I can't wait. Thanks in the comments, I got a lot of tips.
I think you will find that people who go to the opera do NOT wear hats so as not to block the view of those sitting behind them so showing opera audiences wearing hats is rather ridiculous. That being said I think your channel is very useful because too many people feel intimidated about going to the opera if it is something they have never done before so your video might encourage them to give it a go. In the past operas were shown on TV fairly regularly but in recent years they have almost disappeared (not big enough audiences I suspect) which is a shame but another off putting aspect is that many “new and modern” productions are too ridiculous to endure and certainly not worth spending money on to go and see live. I could name numerous ones but I am sure you know what I mean.
I hate to be "that girl," but please tell me that the pronunciation of "waaaaaagner" was purposefully comedic? I'd say a first step to becoming a regular is making sure one can pronounce the composer (and the work).
I always have thought negative about opera and to be honest I dont now why. A month ago there was a special offer in my local Opera House. Carmen for 15 euro at every seat. So I decided to just try it. Oh boy was I wrong. Right when the first notes of the intro were played I knew this would be awesome. Everything was perfect and I visited Carmen again after a few weeks because it was perfect. Normally I only listen to metal music and go to metal concerts but the opers Carmen was one of the best shows I ever saw in my 25 years of lifetime. I already planning to go to La traviata, la boheme, zauberflöte and rigolleto.
How to become a regular? Just attend one, and see if you like it! Wear jeans and a polo, like I do. Read the Wikipedia synopsis ahead of time. Or not. It's just a show. There is no reason to be intimidated. You don't have to "Prepare"...just let the music wash over you, read the supertitles, and watch the action on stage. It's just a musical. Opera suffers more from it's elitist reputation than anything real.
I started to attend opera at a not so young age. From there, i took along sons, their couples, friends, my couple. I feel good having shared the experience and there is so much to learn! Thanx for the video.
Yes, Puccini, Verdi and Rossini, they are the definition of the opera . I listen to their beautiful opera arias every Thursday at 11 am over my radio hehe..😁 The radio is a pretty old one, but it gets the job done . One of the opera arias that I heard on the radio the latest was " Donde lieta uscì (Mimì's Farewell) from Puccini's < La Bohème>, one of the most beautiful operas in the whole wide world. Well, I think I should listen to opera songs a lot and become familiar with them first before enjoying them in the opera house .☺
Sounds like a good plan! By the way, you seem to be watching a lot of our videos 😍👍🏻 - thank you!!! Where are you based and what do you do for a living?
Opera singer here who loves attending and watching opera. Here are two tips! 1. PBS and TH-cam have free operas in full! Definitely utilize these. 2. Don't be afraid of the cheaper seats. I love sitting far in the back of the house because I love seeing the whole set. I also love really getting a sense of the power of the unmic'd singers by sitting far back. There are no bad seats in most opera houses.
Amazing tips from the pro! 😘
@@LeBasfondMusic agree
I am a big fan of ballet and musical theatre, but haven’t been exposed much to opera. I guess it’s time to give it another go 😄 Loved the humour in the video 🙈😄 champagne and selfies 🥂😄
Thank you for your videos, Muse 👏❤️
Thank you for watching and glad to hear you gave opera “another go” 😉👍🏻
Not an opera buff, but I watched Madame Butterfly once on tv. I didn’t understand a word but I knew the story, and it broke my heart. If you get a good company you can enjoy it.
Agree! It doesn’t take too much to appreciate opera ❤️
We’ve been going to the opera for forty five years and have seen hundreds of performances. I can’t imagine my life without opera. Try it you might like it.
Good advice 😍
Marvellous! Thanks a lot for such a helpful and enjoyable guide!
Our pleasure 😚🙏🏻
All you need for the opera is the love for opera and plenty of money for your tickets.
Great video for people who are curious about seeing an opera. I've been to a few myself. It really need not be an intimidating experience. Just think of it as a fancier version of live musical where the language spoken/sung is (often) not English. There are modern operatic performances that are sung in English too. I recommend operas by Puccini for beginners. His works tend to have plot lines that progress quickly, are very emotional and still being accessible. Famous pieces by Puccini include Madama Butterfly, La boheme, Tosca, Turandot, all very popular and commonly performed. If you like fabulous music, then operas by Mozart would be a great start, such as The Magic Flute, Cosi fan tutte, The marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovanni.
Wow this is great! We could have easily included this whole excerpt into the video and it would feel quite natural there. Thanks for your feedback and suggestions! 🙏
This was fun!
Cheers from some opera aficionados and thanks for watching! 👏
great video!
Thank you 😊🙏🏻
First opera - definitely Puccini, either Boheme (hint: bring tissue) or Butterfly (hint: bring tissue).
Prep - it is SO much easier to prep for your first opera than it was when I went for the first time. Full operas on PBS. Full operas online. DVDs available for rent to the library. Maybe not for your first outing, but you may get grabbed by a particular story and want to dig deeper. Familiarize yourself with the story so you're not splitting attention between the translation over the stage and the action. You may even want to start comparing different performances. There is a great video here on Who sang the Queen of the Night aria the best, where he shows several (6?) performances by various singers doing this extremely difficult Mozart aria (spoiler alert: it's Diana Damru).
Attire - there is a famous quote by Birgit Nilsson, a soprano in the 50s and 60s, who was famous for her performances in those heavy Wagner operas. An interviewer once asked her what was the most important thing necessary to sing Wagner. Her answer: "sensible shoes."
Since a lot of opera is in another language, I think that might be something that puts people off. Or because they can't make out what is being said because of the singing.
The only opera I've listened to, on youtube, is because I like the intrumental music to it, Bizet's Carmen.
We agree! And by the way, this Opera video will talk about how to understand it despite being in a different language 👌🏻
if you are a stone cold newbie, some prep is needed. Familiarize yourself with the plot and maybe read the lyrics for any of the main solos.
This was cool. Can you guys make a video like this about contemporary circus? Classical Circus and Cirque nuvoe?
Great idea - we’ll see how to make it! 💪🏻
I don't drink alcohol so an iced tea is my drink of choice at the opera.
I really wantit to go to the opera, but I dident have the opportunity. So I always sang at home. I asked a lot of opera singers what they think about my voice. I got a lot of positive comments. It's too bad I didn't go to music school. I will go 28 oktober to the Opera concert in Switzerland for the first time. I cant wait till then.Ti hire voice of Ermonela Jaho. I am very excited. I can't wait. Thanks in the comments, I got a lot of tips.
How was it?
I think you will find that people who go to the opera do NOT wear hats so as not to block the view of those sitting behind them so showing opera audiences wearing hats is rather ridiculous. That being said I think your channel is very useful because too many people feel intimidated about going to the opera if it is something they have never done before so your video might encourage them to give it a go. In the past operas were shown on TV fairly regularly but in recent years they have almost disappeared (not big enough audiences I suspect) which is a shame but another off putting aspect is that many “new and modern” productions are too ridiculous to endure and certainly not worth spending money on to go and see live. I could name numerous ones but I am sure you know what I mean.
Where did you find the opening tarantella? The only thing I can find is Rossini
Constructive criticism:
1) Pronounce Wagner as Vogner (rhymes with blog)
2) Pronounce aria as ahreea.
I hate to be "that girl," but please tell me that the pronunciation of "waaaaaagner" was purposefully comedic? I'd say a first step to becoming a regular is making sure one can pronounce the composer (and the work).
I want to join high society but I sleep through opera lol. I am not fit here.
Sometimes we sleep too 😅
I always have thought negative about opera and to be honest I dont now why. A month ago there was a special offer in my local Opera House. Carmen for 15 euro at every seat. So I decided to just try it. Oh boy was I wrong. Right when the first notes of the intro were played I knew this would be awesome. Everything was perfect and I visited Carmen again after a few weeks because it was perfect. Normally I only listen to metal music and go to metal concerts but the opers Carmen was one of the best shows I ever saw in my 25 years of lifetime. I already planning to go to La traviata, la boheme, zauberflöte and rigolleto.
don't neglect Puccini.
How to become a regular? Just attend one, and see if you like it! Wear jeans and a polo, like I do. Read the Wikipedia synopsis ahead of time. Or not. It's just a show. There is no reason to be intimidated. You don't have to "Prepare"...just let the music wash over you, read the supertitles, and watch the action on stage. It's just a musical. Opera suffers more from it's elitist reputation than anything real.
Lol I stopped listening when he pronounced “Wagner” 😂😂
Thank you for putting subtitles
I started to attend opera at a not so young age. From there, i took along sons, their couples, friends, my couple. I feel good having shared the experience and there is so much to learn! Thanx for the video.
You’re welcome! 😚
We’ve been regulars at the Met for forty five years.
He said Wagner pronounced like a w instead of a w like a v.
Yes, Puccini, Verdi and Rossini, they are the definition of the opera .
I listen to their beautiful opera arias every Thursday at 11 am over my radio hehe..😁
The radio is a pretty old one, but it gets the job done .
One of the opera arias that I heard on the radio the latest was " Donde lieta uscì (Mimì's Farewell) from Puccini's < La Bohème>, one of the most beautiful operas in the whole wide world.
Well, I think I should listen to opera songs a lot and become familiar with them first before enjoying them in the opera house .☺
Sounds like a good plan! By the way, you seem to be watching a lot of our videos 😍👍🏻 - thank you!!! Where are you based and what do you do for a living?
@@CuriousMuse I am currently based in South Korea and if you look up unemployed in the dictionary , you will see my ugly face. hehe 😁