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Post by weeg on Jul 15, 2019 13:05:12 GMT -5
Booked a summer holiday! This time next week we'll be in the Veneto!
Which is exciting in many ways. 3 nights in Venice, 4 in Verona - hence the post title. And it's Opera season at the Roman Amphitheatre. I'm an occasional opera goer - he isn't at all. Options next week are Aida, Carmen, La Traviata, Il Trovatore.
Any thoughts on which we should see?
(and, yup, this is the best decision i've had to make in quite some time!)
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Post by riverhorse on Jul 15, 2019 13:41:33 GMT -5
If you're not an experienced opera fan, I'd suggest Carmen. Everyone knows the story and the music so you don't have to concentrate too hard on the story and can let it wash over you while you soak up the amazing surrounds!
Hope this helps
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Post by riverhorse on Jul 15, 2019 13:43:40 GMT -5
La Traviata would be my next choice. Lovely music and if you've seen "Moulin Rouge" you basically know the story
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Post by Liiisa on Jul 15, 2019 17:31:27 GMT -5
Wow, that's hard: I would see them all!
But of all those, "Aida" would be my first choice. I'm singing the Grand Processional March to myself right now. It's very exciting, great music, PLUS ancient Egypt: what's not to love, except that Radames is an idiot (but then the tenor is so often an idiot).
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Post by HalcyonDaze on Jul 15, 2019 17:54:04 GMT -5
I am not an opera fan at all and like River I would have said Carmen. That is one I could probably sit through.  |
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Post by Liiisa on Jul 15, 2019 18:29:12 GMT -5
Yeah ok maybe I am not the person to ask if you want something generally accessible, since my favorite opera composer is actually Richard Wagner. (But "Aida" is SO GREAT.) Here's the dancey bit from a performance at, in fact, the Roman Amphitheater (sounding like it was recorded by someone sitting right next to the brass section).
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Post by weeg on Jul 16, 2019 2:34:05 GMT -5
This is actually really helpful. I've seen traviata a few times and Carmen once. Never seen Aida, but wasn't sure it was a good beginners. Suspect Carmen might be the best shout.
And, Richard Wagner is definitely hardcore. Saw Salome in Budapest.
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Post by Liiisa on Jul 16, 2019 4:54:26 GMT -5
I think Carmen's a good choice (but I'm still for Aida because even if he doesn't like the music, he might appreciate the horses on stage etc). Traviata for me is best in the first act and then gets a little snoozy. Unless I'm forgetting something; I haven't been listening to much opera lately, I'm in kind of an indie rock place right now.
And ooh, Salome! That's an intense one. (Wait, isn't that Richard Strauss though?)
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Post by tucano on Jul 16, 2019 4:57:57 GMT -5
I have no opera suggestions, the only opera I've seen (also in Budapest) is Tosca.
But I was in Verona at the beginning of June when they were setting up the Arena, amazing venue!
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Post by riverhorse on Jul 17, 2019 2:31:14 GMT -5
This thread is bringing back wonderful memories. About 2 years ago I attended a training course in Barcelona and because it was during school holidays, flew over a few days earlier. I got a ticket for a one-off performance of Carmen in the spectacularly beautiful Palau de la Musica Catalana, best in house Tickets cost only €50. The performance was a joint one by the opera company and the National Flamenco Theatre, so there were several scenes with extended flamenco performances. Absolutely brilliant!
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Post by weeg on Jul 29, 2019 13:48:58 GMT -5
We went to Traviata. Mostly because I thought it would be better to go earlier in the week than our last night, and the choice was pretty even.
And it was stunning, and we missed the last act. My scottish self got dehydrated and overheated! I got to the stage of worrying more about throwing up than listening, so opted for aircon and gelato. Such is life.
Pretty sure we'd have missed the last act of Carmen too - but that's because there was a rain delayed start, until after 11pm, which meant a finish well past 2am, when we had to check out of our hotel by 11.
Totally worth it though. We had the cheapest 'seats', as opposed to 'the rocks', where you sit on the stone benches.
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Post by Liiisa on Jul 29, 2019 21:29:38 GMT -5
Superb! The first act is the best part of Traviata, I think, so at least you didn't miss that. I'm glad you're ok now! She dies at the end, in case you didn't catch that.  |
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Post by Webs on Jul 30, 2019 11:43:17 GMT -5
Il Trovatore because of the Anvil Chorus.
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Post by riverhorse on Jul 30, 2019 12:19:26 GMT -5
Liking that you enjoyed it, not that you overheated and felt poorly!
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Post by weeg on Jul 30, 2019 14:41:18 GMT -5
She dies at the end, in case you didn't catch that. Isn't that all operas not by Mozart? |
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Post by Liiisa on Jul 30, 2019 16:29:49 GMT -5
Good point there
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