Perfect Operas for Beginners
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
"Opera really grabs you emotionally by its humanity," says Peter Mark, artistic director of the Virginia Opera. In that case, the key to delving into opera is not to delve at all. No need (and not recommended) to start with New York Metropolitan Opera tickets to Richard Wagner's "Ring" cycle. (That will take four nights and about 15 hours.)
Start with a popular opera, one you may have heard of, with memorable melodies and high drama. Here are perfect "beginner operas" at venues in the Washington area this season.
'La Traviata'
"All opera boils down to: It's a story about people and what happens to people in these dramatic situations," says soprano Elizabeth Roberts. For a first-timer, Roberts recommends the Washington National Opera's production of Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," which opens Saturday at the Kennedy Center. "The three principal characters are all trying to do the right thing, so you can really relate to all of them, which is just heartbreaking," Roberts says.
"La Traviata" is a tragic story about two lovers, Violetta and Alfredo, from different walks of life. Violetta is a courtesan and Alfredo's father does not approve, so the relationship proves to be a little messy and thus wonderfully dramatic. The opera includes lots of familiar arias and impressive singing. Oh, and Violetta dies in the end.
Showstopper: At the end of the first act, Violetta sings about her new love ("Ah, fors' e lui") and then immediately about her love of freedom ("Sempre libera"). This is a true test for even the finest sopranos, requiring amazing vocal agility and finesse combined with brute physical strength. Oh, yeah, and she has to emote at the same time.
· The National Opera's "La Traviata" runs through Oct. 5 at the Kennedy Center.
For information on ticket availability, go tohttp:/
· Members of the National Opera's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, featuring young singers, will perform "La Traviata," with Roberts as Violetta, at the Kennedy Center with the same sets and costumes Oct. 6. Visithttp:/
A first-time operagoer might prefer a more intimate experience, such as D.C.-based company Bel Cantanti's "La Traviata." "In a smaller opera company like ours, the singer is pretty much in front of them," says Katerina Souvorova, the company's founder and general and artistic director. "The smaller theater helps them get the real emotion of the drama. It's a good place to start."
· Bel Cantanti presents "La Traviata" on Dec. 6 and 13 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville and Dec. 9 and 10 at the Embassy of Austria in the District. 301-266-7546 or 301-468-8682 orhttp:/
'La Boheme'
Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme" is a tragic love story about two poor Parisians, Mimi and Rodolfo. Mimi gets sick. The lovers break up. She dies. "La Boheme" has been "done to death because it's good," says John E. Niles of the Opera Theater of Northern Virginia.
Showstopper: In the second act, Mimi's flirty friend Musetta tries to make her former lover jealous with "Quando men vo." It's a fun, sassy piece that is a must-know for any opera lover.
