In the interest of keeping interested in the interesting, does anyone attend, listen to, watch, etc., live opera?
I have to broaden my understanding of opera beyond Clarke, Debussy, Gounod, Handel, Mozart, Offenbach, Purcell, Saint-Saens, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and, removed from alphabetical order and not quite opera, Edvard Grieg.
... and, of course, contemporary Philip Glass.
If anyone does happen to play an instrument, particularly if they're classically trained, are there any recommended pieces -- opera or otherwise -- or composers that one might recommend?
Vielen Dank!
Edit: Perhaps this could be moved into the music subforum but I figure opera might be its own art form, separate from music.
The Joseph Bo(u)logne, Chevalier de Saint-George (sometimes erroneously spelled Saint-Georges) (December 25, 1745 – June 10, 1799) was one of the most important figures in the Paris musical scene in the second half of the 18th century, he was also famous as a swordsman and equestrian. Known as the "black Mozart"[1 »
he was one of the earliest musicians of the European classical type known to have African ancestry
There's some theory that Mozart copied from him, and the evidence so far it seems that Mozart did copy one of his pieces yet still requires further analysis. He was born of a slave woman and a French aristocrat, his father took his mistress, wife, daughter, and son to France and had his son become an aristocrat. He actually taught some royals and had an interesting life, although he died a popper through no fault of his own. Very admirable man, and his father in many ways helped to lay the ground work for his success and took care of his mistress.
He was also very good at what he did, and he has multiple pieces that aren't "mainstream" too much, but he's getting more and more attention lately. There are other obscure people like him that are coming to light now that people are climbing back to find more classicists to teach as artists become better and better at playing music.
There's apparently some of his stuff that has yet to be translated from French into English, however considering you're European you could probably more readily track such material down if you're interesting in him. I just have a thing for obscure people that had exciting lives and made fantastic art, he's easily one of my favorites since he actually worked hard to master his skills and left a great legacy.
The other person with one of my favorite books, Invisible Man, was Ralph Ellison, but he was more into Jazz and penning works and not a classicist.
Verdi. I watched Aida being performed in an open-air Colosseum, and have been in love with his work ever since
For a more contemporary composer, try Eric Whitacre. He's not Classical per se... (more atonal/20th century), but his work is hauntingly beautiful. In particular, try "Sleep" and "Lux Aurumque".
Edit: Oh, and I'm a classically trained Tuba player, as well as a Baritone-Vocalist.
I do love Carmen. I have a recording of Maria Callas singing Carmen. She never did it on stage, but SHE SHOULD HAVE. If you can find the recording, definitely look into it.
Live operas I've seen: Salome (it was a strange staging of it, affected my feelings about the opera). Hansel and Gretel (omigosh, SEE THIS if you get a chance). Carmina Burana (not technically an opera, but pretty amazing).
I like to try and catch operas on public TV here, but it's hard to find them interspersed with the orchestra concerts and all that. I did see Nabucco awhile ago. Chorus of the Slaves is such a great song.
I have some classical vocal training, and I play the oboe and piano.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I liek Phelddagrifs.
Official Knitter of the Crafters.
Currently knitting: It's a surprise!
Die Walküre by Richard Wagner. I love his Norse operas as opposed to the stereotype of opera being a Valkyrie singing in Italian in a Greek Tragedy.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
For Lists, Click Here EDH: GW: Selvala, Let us help YOU. UB: Mirko Vosk, when outmatched cheat BW: Vish Kal, The Arbiter of Reanimation UG: Prime Speaker Zegana, the science of sorcery RB: Malfegor, Traitor's Haven UW: Daxos, Control-Fort-Tron BG: Pharika, Goddess of Stax RW: Gisela, Boros Control RG: Ruric Thar, a Primal Surge deck RU: Niv-Mizzet the Firemind, Spellslinger?!?! B:(Pauper) Mikaeus the Unhallowed R: Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient: The Power of Engineering
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I have to broaden my understanding of opera beyond Clarke, Debussy, Gounod, Handel, Mozart, Offenbach, Purcell, Saint-Saens, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and, removed from alphabetical order and not quite opera, Edvard Grieg.
... and, of course, contemporary Philip Glass.
If anyone does happen to play an instrument, particularly if they're classically trained, are there any recommended pieces -- opera or otherwise -- or composers that one might recommend?
Vielen Dank!
Edit: Perhaps this could be moved into the music subforum but I figure opera might be its own art form, separate from music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUvuXJP_LOg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuL4oWSpfnI
There's some theory that Mozart copied from him, and the evidence so far it seems that Mozart did copy one of his pieces yet still requires further analysis. He was born of a slave woman and a French aristocrat, his father took his mistress, wife, daughter, and son to France and had his son become an aristocrat. He actually taught some royals and had an interesting life, although he died a popper through no fault of his own. Very admirable man, and his father in many ways helped to lay the ground work for his success and took care of his mistress.
He was also very good at what he did, and he has multiple pieces that aren't "mainstream" too much, but he's getting more and more attention lately. There are other obscure people like him that are coming to light now that people are climbing back to find more classicists to teach as artists become better and better at playing music.
There's apparently some of his stuff that has yet to be translated from French into English, however considering you're European you could probably more readily track such material down if you're interesting in him. I just have a thing for obscure people that had exciting lives and made fantastic art, he's easily one of my favorites since he actually worked hard to master his skills and left a great legacy.
The other person with one of my favorite books, Invisible Man, was Ralph Ellison, but he was more into Jazz and penning works and not a classicist.
Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.
Individualities may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.
Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success.
Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.
For a more contemporary composer, try Eric Whitacre. He's not Classical per se... (more atonal/20th century), but his work is hauntingly beautiful. In particular, try "Sleep" and "Lux Aurumque".
Edit: Oh, and I'm a classically trained Tuba player, as well as a Baritone-Vocalist.
Live operas I've seen: Salome (it was a strange staging of it, affected my feelings about the opera). Hansel and Gretel (omigosh, SEE THIS if you get a chance). Carmina Burana (not technically an opera, but pretty amazing).
I like to try and catch operas on public TV here, but it's hard to find them interspersed with the orchestra concerts and all that. I did see Nabucco awhile ago. Chorus of the Slaves is such a great song.
I have some classical vocal training, and I play the oboe and piano.
Official Knitter of the Crafters.
Currently knitting: It's a surprise!
For Lists, Click Here
EDH:
GW: Selvala, Let us help YOU.
UB: Mirko Vosk, when outmatched cheat
BW: Vish Kal, The Arbiter of Reanimation
UG: Prime Speaker Zegana, the science of sorcery
RB: Malfegor, Traitor's Haven
UW: Daxos, Control-Fort-Tron
BG: Pharika, Goddess of Stax
RW: Gisela, Boros Control
RG: Ruric Thar, a Primal Surge deck
RU: Niv-Mizzet the Firemind, Spellslinger?!?!
B:(Pauper) Mikaeus the Unhallowed
R: Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient: The Power of Engineering