Opera is a beautiful and enduring art form, but whenever I mention it to someone my age, I usually get either a confused or disgusted look. A very large majority of people my age have the image in their head of a hefty woman draped in an unnecessary amount of clothing and jewelry singing at the top of her lungs in a language they do not comprehend and do not care to know. Others may think of more modern portrayals of opera such as Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum in the 2004 movie portrayal of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s "The Phantom of the Opera." But for me, the world of opera has been an inspiration.
Every time I listen to opera music, I am blown away by the sheer amount of talent it takes. The combination of talented singers and an amazing orchestra makes for sounds that are unparalleled. I may not know the language they are singing in, but I close my eyes and am carried away by the beautiful sound. The opera is an art filled with people who are true masters of their craft. Many dedicate their lives to the art form, and it shows. An opera production is incredible in every aspect. Singers, musicians, costume designers, and even props designers have to be extremely experienced and talented to work on a show. In the most prestigious opera houses, such as the Met, even the people in smallest roles are there because they are the best in the world at their craft.
Opera is also relevant in our time. From new operas being written today to fresh new takes on old operas, the use of opera to convey certain sentiments and lessons is still a viable option. An example of a new production addressing issues of today such as terrorism is the opera “Bel Canto”. Fellow Odyssey writer Emily Daniel explains why this opera is so important in her article “Why Opera Isn’t Just for Old People.” Others have taken classic operas and put it in a more modern setting. Jonathan Miller took on the task of showing a more modern version of Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte.” Mr. Miller had done the show several times, using an English translation and sometimes modern props such a cell phones. The themes present in certain operas are still alive and relevant today.
It is also inspiring to see how long the art of opera has survived. For such a specialized and challenging art form, it is incredible that it is still around today. But the opera has become less popular and is mostly known as something that rich people do. In order for the opera to live on, it has to start catering to younger generations. It has to show people my age that opera is not just for old people but is a beautiful experience that speaks to our times. Until that happens, people will continue to see young opera lovers as a rarity.
