A Builder's Guide To The Opera... Part 1

[The Builder]

Right, replying to Eve's question with a bit of Mozart this week made me think that we could do with a bit more opera on this site.

So, exploring a little of the world of Bel Canto, this could be fun.

Be advised though ... none of yer Wagner here. I'm with Woody Allen on this:

"Ten minutes of Wagner, and I get the urge to invade Poland."

To start with; here's a song you should all know. This is possibly the best version recorded. "Barcarole" from Offenbach's opera "The Tales of Hoffman".

On the left is the fabulous Latvian mezzo, Elina Garanca. She's with Russia's finest soprano, Anna Netrebko.

Kick off your shoes, open a bottle of Chablis, and try this...
.
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u0M4CMq7uI

[woofgang]

lovely, but I prefer this version

[woofgang]

argh error, its the one by P Jaroussky et N Dessay

[mushroom25]

victor borge explained opera with this:-

[Prudie]

Even if Opera leaves you cold, the voice control on this is absolutely mind blowing. I love it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbKSwJpZzVQ

[paddywak]

[Elina]

Fabulous ... & this I love too ..

[paddywak]

Can't have an opera thread without this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJLyZqETuBU

[paddywak]

Try again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdTBml4oOZ8

[SlackAlice]

Superb Voice and my favourite opera song.
This thread would not be complete without a mention of Maria Callas

[The Builder]

Ah, Woofters, I love Natalie Dessay :o)

Gruberova and Gheorghiu as well ...... class.

Paddy. Check out Elina Garanca's Carmen on youtube too. I do love her Habanera... as it were ;o)

Elina ... anything by Netrebko :o)

Slacks ... some traditionalists say opera ended with Callas. Sad; there are so many more technically gifted singers around today.

Thanks all. Part 2 coming to a device near you soon.

[marval]

I love this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf42IP__ipw

[The Builder]

I should have mentioned Mushroom, too. I'm often on youtube looking at Borge's videos with the singer Marilyn Mulvey.

[The Builder]

Yep, Marval. Those two work together a lot.

[Prudie]

Interestingly I much prefer Jose Carreras' version of Nessun Dorma although it sort of belongs to Pavarotti.

[The Builder]

Ok Prudie, you made me do it. I do think people need to know there is way more to opera than the three tenors.

Try this. "Bella figlia dell amore" from Rigoletto.

Garanca and Netrebko again, with Ludovic Tezier and Mexican tenor Ramon Vargas.

(Main theme starts at around 1:50)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xDkYkOHj20

[PankySmooch]

Nice to know the names of these tunes

[The Builder]

Panks... that's one of the things I'm trying to get across. So many well-known tunes. So few people who realise they're from the very world of opera that so many are frightened of.

[marval]

I like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ8_F9I9Cls

[woofgang]

Nuh, that Rigoletto is quite bitty and broken up.

[The Builder]

That's a shame, Woofs. Plays fine on PC and iPad.