Operas anyone?

@JudyEv (381739)
Rockingham, Australia
February 16, 2023 4:46am CST
Is anyone into operatic music? We mostly listen to classical music on the radio and we get our fair share of operatic arias and choruses. I can appreciate how stirring some of the pieces are and I can marvel at the virtuosity of the singers. But I can never make out the individual words. I guess that’s not surprising seeing that the language used is probably mostly Italian. The exception would be Handel’s Messiah which is based on the Latin Mass. Vince reckons most male operatic arias translate to ‘I will kill you and then I’ll dance on your grave’. I wonder if he is right. What do you think? The photo is mine and reminiscent of Carmen perhaps.
12 people like this
12 responses
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
16 Feb 23
I don't care for operas; but I do appreciate the grace and story-telling of the ballet. I think Vince is correct with the translations.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
I think it's easier to follow the 'story' with a ballet for sure.
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OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
16 Feb 23
Hmm I had never been to an opera.
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OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
17 Feb 23
@JudyEv Yes all that shouting about
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
They're interesting but can be difficult to follow.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
@RebeccasFarm And the screeching!
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Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
16 Feb 23
Not much into listening to operatic music but I was in the choir years ago when we sang the chorus Hallelujah from the the Handles Messiah
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Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
17 Feb 23
@JudyEv At one spot there is total rest of a second including the instruments and one of the singers opened her mouth at the final rehearsal and she was asked to leave. Although this happened years ago I just cannot forget it
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
@allknowing Thanks for the link. It's an incredibly moving piece. That poor girl!
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
That would have been a wonderful experience.
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Anna
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
16 Feb 23
I particularly like the Opera Carmen by Bizet, this one is not Italian bur French, you should arrive to get the words, pretty easy to follow. "They Sing over their Grave" is in the Opera "La Gioconda" by Ponchielli.
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Anna
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
17 Feb 23
@JudyEv I did not like too much La Gioconda, even if some aria are good. My Dad loved to listen to the Opere and the Mom of my husband was an Opera singer. My favorite author is Giuseppe Verdi.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
We have watched Carmen and enjoyed it. I've heard of La Gioconda but am not familiar with it.
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Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21504)
• London, England
16 Feb 23
I sometimes listen to classical music, but not much in the way of opera. Having said that, I do like The magic Flute, especially the Queen of the Night's aria. If you could see my YouTube stats, you would see how often I listen to it!
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
There are some excerpts, for want of a better word, that really resonate with you. That chorus from The Pearl Fishers is pretty special.
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Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21504)
• London, England
17 Feb 23
@JudyEv I know, there is The Flower Song, by Delibes. Another haunting one
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Arunima Singh
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
16 Feb 23
I have never heard them in person..I love music but not the Oprah kind. I don't understand it. And also it sounds so monotonous and I might go for sleep . I agrer with Vince here. Sorry, if I don't sound classy or have an elegant taste for music
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
We all have different tastes in music. And it's very subjective so who's to say what's classy and/or elegant.
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Arunima Singh
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
17 Feb 23
@JudyEv I agree there. Somehow there is a prejudice and certain kinds of food and music etc are related to elegant classes.
snowy
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
16 Feb 23
I have not seen an opera in person however, I would certainly attend. Years ago I went to a restaurant that featured opera singers as part of the dining experience. It was interesting and entertaining.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
I've been to one or two but we always buy and study the programme first. The plots can be very twisted.
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DE
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
16 Feb 23
No, I don't listen to music... But I do wonder if Vince is right? The one time I did listen to a little opera, the male vocalist sounded mad.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
16 Feb 23
@JudyEv I've read people trying to explain what's happening in an opera and am just as glad I don't listen to music.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
If you/one read/s about an operas, the plots can be very convoluted indeed. I guess they appealed to the audiences of the time.
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Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Feb 23
I like Vince's interpretation . We don't listen to it
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
It's a bit awful but we often make fun of things we don't understand.
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rakski
@rakski (156200)
• Philippines
16 Feb 23
true, most are Italian
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
Even classical pieces in English can be hard to understand.
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rakski
@rakski (156200)
• Philippines
16 Feb 23
@JudyEv oh yes, that is true
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JB_girl
@sol_cee (38669)
• Philippines
17 Feb 23
Their voice is really something but no thank you
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
It's all a bit screechy for me - at least some of the female singers are.
Angie
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
16 Feb 23
Lol. I have enjoyed a couple but I'm not into it a lot.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
We're not either but from time to time it will be featured on the radio.
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