How to Listen to Opera

Like artichokes and martinis, opera is an acquired taste. Try it - you might grow to love it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Biographies
• Opera CDs
• Opera Librettos
• Opera Tickets
• La Traviata Video
• Opera Videos
• Opera tickets

1. Listen to the opera before attending a performance.

2. Familiarize yourself with opera terms and format: an opera is made up of arias, which follow a pattern beginning with a tune, then another tune and a reprise of the first tune.

3. Read the libretto, or words, to an opera beforehand, if possible.

4. Find out the story line of the opera.

5. Use the music to cue you in to the drama.

6. Read about the composer, his influences and the historic period in which the opera is set.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to listen to singing in another language as many operas are performed in Italian or German.
• Listen to a variety of popular operas to get a sense of what you like before you go to a performance.
• Certain types of singing - tenor, baritone, soprano - are associated with particular roles. The male lead is often a tenor.

[Cessena]

on 11/6/2006 Not all companies preform operas only in a foreign language. Some companies will preform more modern operas in english, or even some older ones in english as well. Other companies will provide a translation for you to read near the stage during the preformance.

Research the opera companies in you area, there are a variety of preformance type as well as repetoire. It is not all blonde vikings on a mountain top these days.

on 11/22/2005 If you have never listened to an opera before, I suggest starting with Bizet's Carmen. Follow along with the translated libretto (the words, translated into English). You will find almost every tune familiar, helping to keep your interest. The story line is fun and interesting and the music is some of the most catchy in the operatic repertoire. Stay away from heavy operas, such as those by Wagner and Strauss, until you develop more of a taste for the art form. Puccini is another good starter composer.

on 11/22/2005 Learn some basic words in the language of the opera that you are seeing. Also, a translation of most of the songs into English is very helpful.