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From: amigo@iwpba.UUCP (amigo)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Introduction to the Opera
Message-ID: <142@iwpba.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-May-84 13:04:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: iwpba.142
Posted: Wed May  9 13:04:51 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 10-May-84 00:28:47 EDT
References: <4148@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 32

I agree that Rossini's BARBER OF SEVILLE is a good opera to start
with for a beginner.  Another good one is Bizet's CARMEN (which is
the answer to one of my favourite trivia questions:  In which opera
in the standard repetoire does the tenor lose the soprano to the
baritone?).

Also, Verdi's AIDA is a good first opera for those who like the
nineteenth century Italians.

The best opera in English that I can think of for a beginner is
probably Mennotti's AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS.  Keep the
neophytes away from Ralph Vaughn Williams (especially RIDERS TO THE
SEA), and if they mention Benjamin Britten, say "Oh yes, he wrote
YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA."

If they express a desire for Richard Strauss, take them to DER
ROSENKAVALIER, not to ELEKTRA.

If they mention Berg's WOZZECK or LULU, change the subject.

Whether or not to introduce them to Wagner is a problem. 
Personally, I like Wagner in small doses, the trouble is that one
never gets Wagner in small doses (I once saw THE FLYING DUTCHMAN,
and, even though my German is pretty good, I thought that it just
dragged on and on).  Tell them that people tend either to love or
hate Wagner, and that he is often an aquired taste.

			John Hobson
			AT&T Bell Labs--Naperville, IL
			ihnp4!iwpba!amigo (NOTE TEMPORARY MACHINE)

P.S.  How about some suggestions on introductory ballets?