Poll for Nicole

[shostakovich]

On another topic, Tim's Opera 101 book suggested its top 4 operas as recommended "first operas to see". I suggest the following poll:

"Which of the following operas would you recommend to a friend as his/her first opera experience?
Carmen
Don Giovanni
Lucia di Lammermoor
Rigoletto
Tosca
Other"

Shos

[Nicole Marie]

That's tough. I'd say for first timers to opera Don Giovanni or Carmen. They contain theme's most people would recognize. But Tosca holds a special place with me. Tough question Shos, any one else?

<small>[ 10-08-2003, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: Nicole Marie ]</small>

[jmfryar]

"other" - Tommy?

[Bones]

As a first opera, Carmen is hard to beat.

[lliam]

Definitely, Carmen.

At times the staging was static and the set may not have been great, but the singing was definitely worth listening to.

[barfle]

Other: Prince Igor

It's a spectacular production, with some familiar melodies and a halfway decent story.

[Valerie]

carmen - easy to digest, and most people end up singing along...

[treebeau]

Howdy,

Having only attended Tosca, I am not in a position to say which.

However, I am reminded of the late Cajun cook Justin Wilson. He used to say that people would ask him "What kind of wine do you serve with _____ ?" to which he's reply "Whatever kind you got!"

Not having a lot of choice around here except for "whatever we got" my first was Tosca, and I was happy with it. I would have liked to see Rigoletto, if only to hear that song about Donna not being able to walk, or something like that.

Regards,
Tim B.

[OperaTenor]

Do I need to say?

OTHER. It has to be Turandot. I think I stated as such in Opera 101. Carmen would be second place, IMO. Beyond that, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Tosca.

<small>[ 10-08-2003, 11:31 PM: Message edited by: operatenor ]</small>

[bignaf]

Other- La Boheme.
Turandot is probablt not a good first since the musical language is a wee bit challenging.

[musicworm]

I choose The Magic Flute---
the only one i ever enjoyed,
i am an newer,so what can i say? :p

[treebeau]

Greetings doOob.

What an unusual name, but at least it's a palindrome.

Regards,
Tim B.

[musicworm]

Mr. treebeau,Nice to meet you!
Did I paste my name on my face?
Look out,It's my face!
Aha,it owns to my mama that i don't have an asymmetric face,hohooo

[Angie Parkes]

I agree that Carmen would make a great first opera, but my first was La Traviata -- great story, a couple of tunes I knew already, and the music that was unfamiliar to me was very accessible.

[Nicole Marie]

Hi do0ob! It's always nice to see new members on the board. Welcome.

[barfle]

My first was Mazeppa. Never heard of it? No surprise there. We were in Leningrad (when it was called Leningrad) and we had the choice of seeing a circus or going to the Kirov.

I have no idea what it may have been about, because it was sung in Russian, with a Russian libretto (Cyrillic alphabet and all). I'm pretty sure several people were beheaded, but that's about it. I've been able to find a few excerpts from the music, but if there's a synopsis, it's in a book I haven't seen.

But I remember a lot of exciting music, fancy costumes, over-the-top acting, and a lot of fun. It is undoubtedly inaccessible to the average western operaphile, but even so, it made me want to see more.

Just as long as it's not "Queen of the Night." :p

[bignaf]

barfle. you neg;ected to mention who the composer of Mazeppa is, Tchaikovski. I think he recycled some tunes from it for use in other stuff. (not sure).

[musicworm]

Aha,Here I'm home!
Nicole Marie,
It's also nice to meet you!

[Nicole Marie]

Since barfel brought up Mazeppa I've been listening to it at home. Big, you're right about the reuse of themes. I've been finding a few of Tch other works mixed in. I'm going to have to give it a serious listen this weekend.

[Bones]

Originally posted by barfle:

Just as long as it's not "Queen of the Night." :p

I like the Revenge Aria