For those that don't know, I'm a music major. My focus is on voice and I hoping to pursue a Masters of Music in Opera after I graduate from GW. Recently, I had a friend come up to me because they were really interested in getting into the genre of opera. This friend asked me what my thoughts were on operas that are easy to listen to for beginners.
Of course, that wasn't an easy question. There's nothing easy about opera and there are many subtle things that happen in the vocal lines and the orchestra melodies and harmonies. I knew what the friend was getting at, so I compiled this list. Here were my three suggestions to my friend and to you.
1.) Italian - "Maria Stuarda"
Maria Stuarda tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots. The opera, composed by Gaetano Donizetti, has gorgeous vocal lines, which singers use to show off their range and vocal technique. It has a lot of drama that rivals today's reality tv phenomenon. Where else in opera is someone going to get the sing the phrase, "Figlia impura di Bolena, / parli tu di disonore? / Meretrice indegna e oscena, / in te cada il mio rossore. / Profanato è il soglio inglese, / vil bastarda, dal tuo piè! which translates to ""Impure daughter of Boleyn, do you speak of dishonour? Prostitute — unworthy and obscene, I blush for you. The throne of England is sullied by your feet, vile bastard!
2.) German - "Die Zauberflöte"
Die Zauberflöte is such a great beginning opera that they've made a holiday spectacular about it at the Met. If nothing else, this opera is known for the vocal acrobatics that one of the main female leads has to do. In her two main arias, nicknamed the Queen of the Night Arias, she has to sing many High Es (E5) and a High F (F5). The story is a gold ole fashioned love story with some murderous drama mixed in. If you don't get to listen to the whole opera, just listen to Diana Damrau singing the arias and you're life will be changed. After you sit through this Mozart masterpiece, then you'll be able to sit through all of Wagner's Ring Cycle for fun.
3.) English - "Dead Man Walking"
Yes there are operas in English! Dead Man Walking is based on the novel of the same name written by Sister Helen Prejean. This opera has everything you can want in a story. It has comedy, a redemption story, and focuses on a value that we all are striving towards: forgiveness. For Americans, this story deals with a themes that many Americans are affected by, which allows for you to truly dive directly in the story.
* For those in DC, Washington National Opera will be putting on a production of this opera February 25th to March 11th.
