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Advice from any Culture-Vultures: Opera
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Right, so I've been dragged to the theatre, even a ballet, but this year it looks like it's an opera (at the Colosseum in Verona)
So which would you suggest:
Aida, Nabucco or the Marriage of Figaro?
I at least know some of the music from the latter from Trading Places, though I suspect the story might be different.
Also, how the heck do you work out what on earth is going on, bearing in mind they're squawking in a foreign language? Or are you just meant to enjoy the music?
Finally, in the interval, will the ice-cream seller sing "Just one Cornetto"?
Sorry for being a Philistine
Mr ddc |
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The language shouldn't be a problem, as the story should be evident. Read a brief synopsis in advance.
Carmen or Figaro would be great.
Would be nice to listen to some of it too, so you're more familiar as the music comes on. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Right, so I've been dragged to the theatre, even a ballet, but this year it looks like it's an opera (at the Colosseum in Verona)
So which would you suggest:
Aida, Nabucco or the Marriage of Figaro?
I at least know some of the music from the latter from Trading Places, though I suspect the story might be different.
Also, how the heck do you work out what on earth is going on, bearing in mind they're squawking in a foreign language? Or are you just meant to enjoy the music?
Finally, in the interval, will the ice-cream seller sing "Just one Cornetto"?
Sorry for being a Philistine
Mr ddc"
Hi there had the same hubby speaks several languages and thought would be good idea to take me to Verona. It was Mozart and was brilliant - Would love to go again ...
Just one thing it gets a bit chilly in evenings and us ladies tend to get a bit cold in the evening dresses 
Also dont forget pillows if you are in cat. 4-5 as those are the stone steps...
Naughty |
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"Right, so I've been dragged to the theatre, even a ballet, but this year it looks like it's an opera (at the Colosseum in Verona)
So which would you suggest:
Aida, Nabucco or the Marriage of Figaro?
I at least know some of the music from the latter from Trading Places, though I suspect the story might be different.
Also, how the heck do you work out what on earth is going on, bearing in mind they're squawking in a foreign language? Or are you just meant to enjoy the music?
Finally, in the interval, will the ice-cream seller sing "Just one Cornetto"?
Sorry for being a Philistine
Mr ddc"
First of all - lucky buggers!!!!
Colosseum in Verona - will be wonderful whatever you choose.
Most likely there will be surtitles - the words in English - displayed discreetly somewhere around the stage area. Once you decide what takes your fancy do a quick google on the basic story for the Opera you choose - do in advance so you have a brief idea - that way you are not totally glued to the English surtitles - and can enjoy the music and staging.
Mozart MoF - easy going, some great arias and a good first opera to go to.
Aida and Nabucco, both 4 act operas by Verdi - so the music will be recognisable and also has some great arias.
Both of these will most likely have large casts, and so the visual experience for either of these will be spectacular.
If you are opera virgins you are in for a real treat whatever you choose - and you can't really go wrong with any of the choices (if you had said you were going to see something like Alban Berg Wozzeck - gulp that would be tough going!)
My own personal choice would have to be Aida.
Hope this helps - you are going to have a great treat - enjoy
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Well there'll be supertitles so the language thing won't be a problem. The Mozart could be fun - and the subject is more race than the other two. Do you like opera? If not Google to see which is the shortest. Or call the opera house and ask for the running times. Also you may want to base your decision on which seats are still available and for which price. They're all grey operas though, and there'll be bits you know already in each. |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"Google the synopsis for each before you go. "
this..... if you already have a gist of what is suppose going on, you then can concentrate on the music more as you are not having to worry.....
so if you can get a cliff notes version in a little book.. it helps...
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By *igeiaWoman
over a year ago
Bristol |
I like singing the Slaves chorus from Nabucco in the shower. And if you get me d*unk enough I have been known to bust out the Queen of the Night aria from The Magic Flute. I'd go with The Marriage of Figaro for a toe-dipper; old Molars wrote some good tunes. Mind you Aida and Carmen are great for the whole spectacle. If you go the whole hog, there's a book on Amazon about getting inside Wagner's Ring as well. |
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"I would love to go to any opera but got no one to go with "
When I was in London, I used to often pop in to ENO etc, if something great was on. I wouldn't worry about being alone, the experience is wonderful and others can be very friendly. |
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By *ezebelWoman
over a year ago
North of The Wall - youll need your vest |
Out of that selection Id choose Aida. The big productions with the casts of 1000s are usually spectacular in a setting like that. Im jealous.
I go to the Met every time I go to New York but when I went to see Carmen there last time Im sure that they added a few extra acts - it went on forever...  |
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This site truly is amazing, I never imagined I'd get such a fantastic response! Thanks everyone, and sorry I haven't had a chance to respond properly (out last night, and off early today university hunting)
Mr ddc |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Anything by Verdi.
Don't worry about trying to follow the language, immerse yourself in the feeling, the emotion, the music.They'll tell you all you need to know.
Best advise I was given, don't worry about the language, if it makes you cry, you understood everything.
Trust me, you'll be blown away.
Great advice about a wrap for the ladies and taking a cushion. Opera glasses too.
And buy a programme so you have a tangible record of the event.
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Well,
Just WOW!
Our itinerary meant rather than an opera, we had Carmina Burana instead.
(And sadly my Italian wasn't up to understanding the detailed description of the 10 hour sex session)
But it was really amazing.
Mr ddc |
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"Well,
Just WOW!
Our itinerary meant rather than an opera, we had Carmina Burana instead.
(And sadly my Italian wasn't up to understanding the detailed description of the 10 hour sex session)
But it was really amazing.
Mr ddc"
What a fantastic experience, and great work to hear in that setting - very lucky  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Well,
Just WOW!
Our itinerary meant rather than an opera, we had Carmina Burana instead.
(And sadly my Italian wasn't up to understanding the detailed description of the 10 hour sex session)
But it was really amazing.
Mr ddc"
Are you glad you went and do you feel a lot more sophisticated now? |
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"
Mr ddc
Are you glad you went and do you feel a lot more sophisticated now? "
Definitely, even the kids enjoyed it.
I think they would have struggled with an opera lasting till 2am though, so it worked out quite well.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Mr ddc
Are you glad you went and do you feel a lot more sophisticated now?
Definitely, even the kids enjoyed it.
I think they would have struggled with an opera lasting till 2am though, so it worked out quite well.
"
Happy Days!!!!
Really glad you enjoyed it, are you tempted to go to another?
Or do you think opera anywhere but the home of opera wouldn't be the same? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Mr ddc
Are you glad you went and do you feel a lot more sophisticated now?
Definitely, even the kids enjoyed it.
I think they would have struggled with an opera lasting till 2am though, so it worked out quite well.
"
Did they sing the scary song from the Omen? I think it was used on Old Spice ads too? There isn't any sex in it |
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Did they sing the scary song from the Omen? I think it was used on Old Spice ads too? There isn't any sex in it "
La Fortuna, yes.
It's the start, and the finish. And we had it again as an encore
The sex is all talk, no actual 'hows-yer-father' (the whole thing is a series of bawdy poems set to music apparently) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Did they sing the scary song from the Omen? I think it was used on Old Spice ads too? There isn't any sex in it
La Fortuna, yes.
It's the start, and the finish. And we had it again as an encore
The sex is all talk, no actual 'hows-yer-father' (the whole thing is a series of bawdy poems set to music apparently)"
Probably best it wasn't in English if your kids were listening. |
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Happy Days!!!!
Really glad you enjoyed it, are you tempted to go to another?
Or do you think opera anywhere but the home of opera wouldn't be the same?"
I'd still like to do a proper opera one day, but I used to be a proper choir-boy, so singing like tonight is more my thing. |
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"I am so tempted with a bad fuck orff type joke. But I won't.
Ceni, veni, venias it is instead then.
 "
Don't you go quoting all Latin to me young lady, or I'll veni over there and vici you!
Our Western phrasebook turned out not to cover Italy, and my Latin has been worse than useless.
Today an Italian lady answered me in German after thinking I was speaking German to her instead of Italian
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Right, so I've been dragged to the theatre, even a ballet, but this year it looks like it's an opera (at the Colosseum in Verona)
So which would you suggest:
Aida, Nabucco or the Marriage of Figaro?
I at least know some of the music from the latter from Trading Places, though I suspect the story might be different.
Also, how the heck do you work out what on earth is going on, bearing in mind they're squawking in a foreign language? Or are you just meant to enjoy the music?
Finally, in the interval, will the ice-cream seller sing "Just one Cornetto"?
Sorry for being a Philistine
Mr ddc"
Marriage of Figaro, I've been, and was awesome.
Enjoy the music or...Take me as the translator  |
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"
Enjoy the music or...Take me as the translator "
Now you tell me, when we only have Milan and Turin left to do 
I'm sure we could find something better to do than practising my Latin gerundives... 
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Enjoy the music or...Take me as the translator
Now you tell me, when we only have Milan and Turin left to do
I'm sure we could find something better to do than practising my Latin gerundives...
"
Ooh when you're in Milan see if you can do the trip to the top of the Duomo - it's a long climb but it's worth it for a different view of both the cathedral and the city. |
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Ooh when you're in Milan see if you can do the trip to the top of the Duomo - it's a long climb but it's worth it for a different view of both the cathedral and the city. "
Good call TD.
I had promised Mrs ddc her own 'Pretty Woman' moment, dragging me around the expensive fashion shops of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. However we spent so much time up on the Duomo, they were all shut bar one. I owe you one!
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Ooh when you're in Milan see if you can do the trip to the top of the Duomo - it's a long climb but it's worth it for a different view of both the cathedral and the city.
Good call TD.
I had promised Mrs ddc her own 'Pretty Woman' moment, dragging me around the expensive fashion shops of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. However we spent so much time up on the Duomo, they were all shut bar one. I owe you one!
"
It's an amazing view!
I'll apologise to Mrs DDC later... |
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