Most Emotional Opera Melodies

The aria from Gianni Schicchi (by Puccini) is "O mio babbino caro." Renee Fleming's version will wrench your heart.

Regards, Rich

240 ...

Don't be so rough on yourself. Opera is quite a topic to learn.

What I found useful in learning up on opera and in a way learning what I like, was to purchase the various Opera Highlights and Favorite Arias collections that so many labels offer. By doing this, I learned that it wasn't important that I did not understand the words ... it's about melody and emotion and passion. In fact, I find opera sung in english distracting. I prefer songs sung in italian and french ... I am still just so-so about operas sung in german.

With that said, some CD's to check out are (and there are others):

Placido Domingo "Verdi ... Arias and Duets" (EMI Greatest Artists series)
"O Mio Babbino Caro ... Famous Soprano Arias from Italian Opera" (Naxos)
"Operas Greatest Duets" (RCA Red Seal)
Ana Maria Martinez "Soprano Songs and Arias" (Naxos)
Giuseppe DiStefano "Operatic Recital" (Decca)

Regards, Rich

Mozartrules ...

Wasn't Rigoletto at the Met sensational? We went this past Saturday and absolutely loved it. The only bummer was that we thought that Placido Domingo would be appearing ... as the web-site would lead you to believe. Lo and behold, he does appear ... but he is the conductor!

Fortunately, Villazon and Netrebeko performed as though they are opera's new royalty.

To my earlier list, add:

Anna Moffo "Arias From Faust, etc" on RCA Living Stereo Series ... get the SACD hybrid.

Regards, Rich