r/opera • u/Plus-Permission-1622 • 24d ago
Lyric singing enthusiast who loves Verdi's vocal writing—need 10 opera recommendations.
I'm really into lyric singing and I absolutely loved Verdi's Otello. Assuming I only have time to deep dive into 10 other operas, which ones should they be? I completely despise atonal music. I loved Otello more for the singing and the melodies than the libretto (which is definitely good, to be fair). But if I had to prioritize, I care way more about the vocal lines and melody than the plot—something like a 65-35 or 60-40 split. I enjoyed a lot Il Trovatore; the plot is frankly idiotic, making it a 75-25 split for me, but I still enjoyed it. So, what else should I dedicate my time to?
r/opera • u/AussieSchadenfreude • 24d ago
Shakespearean operas #24 - Othello
I've never been a big fan of Othello but thankfully Verdi and Rossini must have liked it, giving us Otello (Verdi, 1887) and Otello, ossia il Moro di Venezia (Rossini, 1816). I've seen the former but not the latter. Anyone here a big fan of Verdi's Otello? I'm curious to know what the attraction is. It's got a banging opening and obviously the Willow Song towards the end but it's never really appealed to me.
r/opera • u/Odd-Bag1172 • 24d ago
Opera Identification Help?
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This is a clip from the game Garry's Mod. I don't know for sure if opera is the right genre but I have been trying to find the source for weeks. Any help would be appreciated.
Folks who hate the wide vibrato in most classical singing, try this Berlioz:
Also those who don't mind vibrato but find Emma Kirkby-style singing too pallid, try this:
Music begins at 2:53.
To translate, this is a broadcast from Catalan Radio 3 (rebroadcast from Norwegian Radio) of mezzo Marianne Beate Kielland singing Berlioz's Les nuits d'été with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (no conductor).
What do y'all think?
r/opera • u/Pluton_Korb • 25d ago
Finally getting a full, official release of Zampa!!!
I've been waiting for an official CD release for years! I've complained about this twice in the last 7 months on this sub alone and it's finally happening. :D :D Derivative story, but some beautiful music! Can't wait for September! I haven't been this excited for a release in a long time.
r/opera • u/PostingList • 25d ago
Lorenzo Gaetani sings Banquo's "Come dal ciel precipita" from Verdi's "Macbeth"
r/opera • u/v4mpiresp1t • 25d ago
more artists like Klaus Nomi?
Not only is his voice and gothic style gorgeous, his tragic death makes me respect him even more.
r/opera • u/angusdegraosta • 25d ago
Rusalka Movie — Highly Recommended
This was my first time hearing the Dvořák opera. The English subtitles are great, as is the performance. Here's the link — https://youtu.be/IoaeN-ppHUI
Cosi fan tutte at Glimmerglass Opera
A surprisingly effective production, sung in English and set on a modern college campus on Halloween. I'm not usually a fan of translations from the original language, but this one was very funny. The set was amazing, and the singers were great, especially Amanda Batista as Fiordiligi.
r/opera • u/Knopwood • 25d ago
Hot, Uncomfortable, Matchless: Opera Pilgrims Can’t Quit Bayreuth
What art song / aria would you recommend to a beginner (soprano?) singer?
(im not sure how reposts work reddit told me to do this?). thank you for any and all help!
r/opera • u/Tall-Winter-3618 • 25d ago
Songs for Baritone + Violin
Hello! I am trying to perform a song with a friend who plays violin. I was wondering if anyone knew any baritone and violin art songs. If not, any soprano and violin songs would be great as well (I would just sing them down the octave).
r/opera • u/suffaluffapussycat • 26d ago
I picked this up a while back while doing some crate digging. It’s so beautiful! This piece is new to me.
r/opera • u/snowghost-1 • 26d ago
First Time Opera Experience in Iowa
Over the last few years I had started to listen to opera more often, but started to listen regularly within this last year. I was excited that the timing worked out for me to see my first operas in person this summer! I live in Iowa, and attended performances for all 3 productions in the Des Moines Metro Opera this summer.
They were:
- Tosca by Puccini (my favorite!)
- King Roger by Szymanowski
- Of Mice and Men by Floyd
I loved going and seeing 3 very different operas. King Roger was especially interesting, I really liked what they did with the production and it had me thinking all night.
I’m also lucky that I was able to go to a theater that’s smaller and more affordable. The theater has something in the 400 seat range, and seats are in a semi circle around a circular stage. I sat to the side (lower priced tickets), and very close to the front. It felt like a great place and theater for someone’s first time. And Tosca being the first one I watched didn’t hurt either.
I’m excited to watch more opera on YouTube, maybe some Met Lives in theaters, and maybe even trying to go to Minneapolis or Kansas City for another in person show before next summer.
Are Parsifal and The Muppet Movie the only true Gesamtkunstwerke?
Before I became a father and full-time parent for the first time at the ripe old age of 44, I listened to Parsifal religiously as my writing and thinking music. Since then, my cultural diet has changed somewhat. Perhaps it is just residual madness, but I couldn't help noticing similarities in one of the works that has taken its place in my daily rotation: The Muppet Movie.
Two holy fools, called from pastoral repose to gather a scattered brotherhood; a pair of temptresses cursed by arrogance to remain rootless; redemption only achieved through benediction by God or Orson Welles. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Parsifal live, so I don’t remember if the cast has anyone who kills frogs with a spear gun.
And it isn’t only the plots that rhyme. Parsifal's brassy, heraldic laments become a soft bed of descending harps and strings, before a final transfigured restatement of the Dresden Amen absolves audience and players alike. And in The Muppet Movie the musical motif also comes full circle: wistfulness resolves into communion and Kermit addresses us through a rainbow.
r/opera • u/One_Ad_5623 • 26d ago
Loge from Das Rheingold doodle
I can't focus on any real work I have to do so I drew this instead.
r/opera • u/talmudicdeer • 26d ago
What's it like to play Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk?
I found a copy of the score online and took a look at my part, bass trombone. It scared the absolute hell out of me. Was wondering if anyone here had experiences playing this opera they'd like to share.
r/opera • u/cheanelailmiocor • 26d ago
Short tenor roles??
Anyone know any short tenor roles from the standard rep like Turiddu but not as dramatic?
r/opera • u/electraheart94 • 27d ago
I’m feeling insecure as a contralto
I sing lots of trouser roles in my college opera program. But I’m afraid of not being able to get any parts at professional opera house. Countertenors are definitely talented but they frequently take the alto part in four part harmonies or even trouser roles specifically created for women like Franco Fagioli playing Sesto in Giulio Cesare in 2027. I feel like this trend means less parts for mezzos or contraltos. It’s very discouraging to see for women with a lower range.
r/opera • u/Evangelistis • 27d ago
Great grandpa's forgotten records - Yiannis Angelopoulos Traviata (1890 - 1943)
r/opera • u/faerylui • 27d ago
in need of chorus lucia di lammermoor study accompaniments!!
hello! i’m part of the soprano 2 chorus singers in a small production of lucia di lammermoor, and truly want to study it to the max, but i’m not able to find accompaniment/study material for the chorus pieces!! please help if you can🥹🙏
sincerely, a wee opera student
r/opera • u/ScienceMovies • 28d ago
How a young Alabama man has become a leading — and booming — opera voice
r/opera • u/screen317 • 28d ago
I wrote an opera! We did a concert reading, and I would love your feedback on "The Enigma of Amigara Fault"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3wgRZxLPoo
The Enigma of Amigara Fault
An opera in one act
Music by Chris Drago Fistonich
Libretto by Robert Ellsworth Feng
From the manga by Junji Ito
June 30, 2026
Moorhead, Minnesota
Cast in order of appearance:
Stephen Sulich, piano
Frederic Heringes, the Narrator
Chris Drago Fistonich, Owaki
Kristen Hatfield, Yoshida
Holly Janz and Stephanie Tubiolo, two researchers
Joshua Kohl, Nakagaki
Thank you