The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61915 Message #997667
Posted By: Benjamin
06-Aug-03 - 01:05 AM
Thread Name: Is Opera rubbish?
Subject: RE: Is Opera rubbish?
John, opera is one of the most important events in music history. You might find some of the earlier operas more interesting (try L'Orfeo by Monteverdi). Opera did change over the years and I have to admit that I don't care much for the music of some of the biggest opera composers. As for the singers, I think it's simular to any other music in that there are some singers you'll like and some you won't. Not every operatic soprano is as boring as radio would have you think.
As for the language, it really depends on the opera. The idea that any good opera is in Italian is a horrible, out right lie. You might check out Aaron Copland's The Tender Land, or Gershwin's Porgy and Bess for english operas. Those are both American composers, but I'm sure there's British ones out there who wrote in english.
Another good lesson to learn though is that you don't have to like everything.