Last night I went to the opera house. Having never been before I didn’t expect much.
All I can say is wow. These guys can sing. Absolutely amazing.
I saw La Traviata. Next time I go I will research the story line a bit as this was in italian (not a criticism).
Which others would you recommend?

The Barber of Seville, is awesome. I saw this version beamed live from the new york met to my local cinema. It was excellent. Peter Mattei is the Barber, he has the most awesome voice.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B32wKX97s6k&list=PL5D6B1D60E82223A2[/video]

You can’t go wrong with Wagner:

[video]http://vimeo.com/70265237[/video]

Rigoletto. Fantastic tunes throughout; an easy to follow story line with good characters; a totally bleak storyline!

Le nozze di Figaro. Great fun!

Ive always liked La Boheme and Madam Butterfly. Good stories, easy to follow. Worth reading an English libretto before you go.

La Boheme is full of good tunes and is short. Same for Carmen.

Leave the long ones for when you’re hooked.

Salome and Lulu have a few eye-opening moments. 8)

Tosca

One I’ve always rather wanted to see is La Wally, by Alfredo Catalani, purely because the main aria was used in one of my favourite films, Diva, sung by Wilhelmina Wiggins Fernandez.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hsmoo97CVA&sns=em[/video]

The Barber of Seville, is awesome

Why, sir, you’re quite right !

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccHB4HvaCyM[/video]

+1 the above recommendations, cant go wrong there {except la wally and wagner, cant speak to them}. Always in Italian, read the story summary beforehand then just lie back enjoy the pageant and music.

Madame Butterfly!
Saw this at the Rhyl Pavilion(Grand opera of Belarus).
Enjoyed every second of it.

Also been to a couple of Peking operas in China,it’s a bit of an aquired taste,but once you get into it,can be very mesmerising.

marriage of figaro

[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=azWVPWGUE1M[/video]
marriage of figaro

The Barber of Seville, is awesome

Elina Garanca “Una Voce Poco Fa ” Brilliant!

Never realy got into opera, but my mate played in the national orchestra of Wales. He always recommends la Boheme as a great introduction into what he calls proper music.

Orfeo

The love of three oranges.

My brother is a friend of Dorothy so the occasional opera trip is required of the operas I have been socially obliged to sit through the above two held my attention and were actually a pleasure to watch the love of three oranges was boosted by spectacular staging and scenery.
I hated the magic flute .

Count Zero – with you on La Wally & Diva connection.

Janacek – Cunning Little Vixen, not your average opera – couple others by Janacek – e.g. Jenufa – worth a look
Magic Flute – cracking tunes, hard to accept storyline..
Cosi Fan Tutte – drags on a bit (so does Marriage of Figaro IMO) but cracking characters.
Marriage of Figaro is quite a thought provoking work too, quite sad in places

Surprised no-one’s mentioned Britten, — Peter Grimes? Midsummer Night’s Dream

Wagner in parts – takes a while though 🙂

If you can get to one of these one piano opera condensed performances, they’re great – cast of maybe 6 or 7, accompanist, you forget there’s not an orchestra soon enough.