Opera -- Where to Start?

[monafam]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions!  I really appreciate it.  I think I'll check our local library for any operas on DVD, etc.

The discussion doesn't have to stop, but I just wanted to say thanks again for the suggestions.

[monafam]

Update:

My wife stopped by the library and picked up a couple of Operas.

Die Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart on DVD.  We have watched the first 2 acts.  It's pretty entertaining.

Peter Grimes by Britten on CD.  I'm listening to it at work.  A contrast from Mozart's to be sure, but cetainly interesting and enjoyable.

[Alan Howe]

Peter Grimes is a modern-day great (actually, not so modern now!!) The performance that did it for me was that starring Jon Vickers and conducted by Colin Davis. I've only just replaced my old LPs, so I must listen to the CDs...

[monafam]

Peter Grimes is a modern-day great (actually, not so modern now!!) The performance that did it for me was that starring Jon Vickers and conducted by Colin Davis. I've only just replaced my old LPs, so I must listen to the CDs...

The library version I received has Peter Pears in it.  I liked what I heard, but since I'm at work I didn't give it my full attention.  I hope to listen to it again at home.   (Then again it's not so easy with my 4 kids around at home either.)   

[monafam]

Die Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart on DVD was a success for our family.  Even our oldest two kids (6 & 5) watched all three acts and seemed to enjoy most of it.

I sometimes put on the classical station for our oldest when he goes to bed (partly to get him immersed in it, partly because I can't trust the other stations) so he has some experience and generally likes this music.

[Gareth Vaughan]

I have converted people to opera with TOSCA: three relatively short, highly dramatic, "wham, bang, thank you, ma'am" acts. A masterpiece! It never fails. Personally, I love Wagner and Richard Strauss, but I wouldn't suggest anyone new to opera started with either of them. A less well-known Puccini opera is the one-act IL TABARRO - that's wonderfully, darkly dramatic (and, of course, melodic too). Another great favourite of mine is Berlioz' THE TROJANS - but that is very long. For terrific tunes, raw emotion and drama, and a perfectly shaped plot and score you'd have to go a long way to beat Bizet's CARMEN. I've sung in three different productions, the last one with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and I marvel at the sheer dramatic genius of the work more and more each time I encounter it.

[Alan Howe]

Yep, you're right, Gareth. Carmen's an ideal place to start. Among its many advantages are tunes that you'll already know from other arrangements, etc.

[Hovite]

I am looking for any recommendations

Tastes vary, but I would recommend:

Gay: The Beggar's Opera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExD1QqUrHF4

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (Hansel and Gretel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTF6EhRscTw

Janáček: Věc Makropulos (The Makropulos Case)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sue4e_K0mno

Lehár: Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYWwEkVS8iM

Lehár: Giuditta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tUq8Q_b8Lg

Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (Clowns)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4mzv9N4COo

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEEooa2FGEY

Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2cf5TwZL6A

Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq0H2zeroz0

Musorgsky: Boris Godunov
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HiEL3qADkU

Offenbach: La Belle Hélène (The Beautiful Helen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48zhdW_2nUQ

Offenbach: La Grande duchesse de Gerolstein (The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBTsikKiIz0

Offenbach: Orpheus aux Enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeB_ZFDKcBI

Puccini: Manon Lescaut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEibFHfGBAc

Puccini: Tosca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3lPxwct2sk

Puccini: Turandot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9pusxyUU70

Strauss: Die Fledermaus (The Bat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsUmLcri7fU

Sullivan: The Mikado
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqG7iDCxgqc

Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlTisI_HSgw

Verdi: Otello
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vXKblm9hf8

Wagner: Die Walküre (The Valkyre)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN-nGUv22Is

Weber: Der Freischütz (The Marksman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8gTunpGr2o

Weill: Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swa8jEnp5e8

Actually, the very best place to start, because it is extraordinarily short (just half an hour), sung in English, and extremely funny is:

Sullivan: Trial by Jury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmZhkQvWkaY

[Alan Howe]

Janacek? The place to start? I've only just made it that far after 35 years+ of opera-listening. Where did I go wrong?

[Mark Thomas]

Obviously the same place that I did