10 beautiful arias from various operas.
While opera is an acquired taste for many, it is almost impossible not to love it if you have a passion for literature, theatre and music. Here are 10 of my favourite arias.
Note: As you can see, I have a tendency to favour Italian opera, especially by Puccini and Verdi. This is also because I love the Italian language, and it fits this kind of music especially well in my opinion. I have chosen various performances, some older than others, just so I could include many of the greatest opera singers of all times:
Maria Callas, Anna Netrebko, Monserrat Caballé; Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Rolando Villazon, José Carreras, Jonas Kaufmann and Ramón Vargas.
Una furtiva lacrima (Elisir d'amore, Donizetti) by Luciano Pavarotti
Quando m'en vo (La Bohème, Puccini) by Anna Netrebko
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (Das Land des Lächelns, Léhar) by Jonas Kaufmann
Nessun dorma (Turandot, Puccini) by Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo & José Carreras
O mio bambino caro (Gianni Schicci, Puccini) by Monserrat Caballé
Celeste Aida (Aida, Verdi) by Luciano Pavarotti
E lucevan le stelle (Tosca, Puccini) by Placido Domingo
Che gelida manina (La Bohème, Puccini) by Ramón Vargas
Casta diva (Norma, Bellini) by Maria Callas
O soave fanciulla (La Bohème, Puccini) by Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazon
PS: If you're interested in getting to know more about opera but don't like it that much so far, starting with one that is based on a story you know is a good entry (e.g. La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Otello or Macbeth).
Many operas are also featured in films, such as Cavalleria Rusticana in The Godfather (see blog post Tiny Tip #22) or Andrea Chenier in Philadephia (see blog post Tiny Tip #12), or even in films like Pretty Woman. Sometimes this gives an insight into an opera to an audience that normally doesn't listen to opera or attends any performances.
And last tip, many operas can be screened for free at the moment because of the lockdown, a list of links can be found here: Tiny Tip #13. A great way to get to know something new and discover a magical world.