Best classical music for beginners<\/a><\/strong><\/li>

The scariest operas: how the supernatural world has inspired opera composers<\/a><\/strong><\/li>

The 20 Greatest operas of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Best operas for beginners and newbies <\/strong><\/h2>
Mozart\u2019s The Magic Flute<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
<\/div><\/figure><p>Top of our list of best operas for beginners is an eternal favourite. One of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/mozart\/\">Mozart<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s best-loved operas, <strong><em>The Magic Flute <\/em><\/strong>tells the story of Prince Tamino, who is rescued from a monster, shown a photo of Pamina (daughter of the Queen of the Night) and, naturally, falls in love with her instantly. <\/p><p>Classic operatic melodrama. Armed with his magic flute, he sets off on a mission to find and rescue her from the sorcerer Sarastro she is being held captive by. It\u2019s a classic story of love triumphing over evil \u2013 with a raft of tunes you\u2019ll no doubt already be familiar with.<\/p><p>We included <em>The Magic Flute <\/em>in our round-up of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/six-best-mozart-operas\/\"><strong>best Mozart operas<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><p>We named the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/best-recordings-mozart-magic-flute\/\"><strong>best recordings of Mozart\u2019s <em>The Magic Flute <\/em>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-bizet-s-carmen\"><strong>Bizet\u2019s <em>Carmen<\/em><\/strong><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Carmen - Habanera (Bizet; Anna Caterina Antonacci, The Royal Opera)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KJ_HHRJf0xg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p>The \u2018Habanera\u2019 and the \u2018Toreador Song\u2019 from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/georges-bizet\/\">Bizet\u2019<\/a><\/strong>s <em>Carmen <\/em>have both enjoyed success beyond the walls of the opera house, so will probably be familiar to you already. The opera itself is packed full of brilliantly catchy melodies and hummable tunes \u2013 and that\u2019s before you even consider its dramatic plotlines. <\/p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-was-the-first-opera-ever-written\/\">What was the first opera ever written?<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-musical-and-an-opera\/\">What is the difference between a musical and an opera?<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/why-do-opera-singers-use-so-much-vibrato\/\">Why do opera singers use so much vibrato?<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>Carmen is a brilliantly bold heroine: smoking, drinking and seducing her way around town. Don Jos\u00e9 falls instantly in love with her and ends up running away from the army to be with her. Shortly after, however, she grows tired of him and instead pursues the bullfighter Escamillo. <\/p><p>The romance shifts to tragedy as Don Jo\u015be pursues her in a fit of jealousy, stabbing her at the amphitheatre where Escamillo is about to perform. Carmen has become one of opera\u2019s most iconic characters. She’s a big part of the reason that <em>The Barber of Seville<\/em> makes one of the best operas for beginners. <\/p><p>In recent years, choreographer Matthew Bourne has created <em>The Car Man<\/em>, a ballet based on Bizet\u2019s opera but with an entirely new plot, instead set in a garage in a small Italian American community in a midwestern town in the US.<\/p><p>We included <em>Carmen <\/em>in our round-up of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/five-essential-works-bizet\/\"><strong>best Bizet works<\/strong><\/a>. And, if you\u2019re already a fan, here are our choices of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/bizet-s-carmen-what-listen-next\/\"><strong>what to listen to if you like Bizet\u2019s <em>Carmen<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>.<\/em> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-puccini-s-la-boheme\"><strong>Puccini\u2019s <em>La boh\u00e8me<\/em><\/strong><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"La Boh\u00e8me\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F2bKgu-BDCY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p>If you\u2019ve seen the iconic movie <em>Rent<\/em>, you\u2019ll find the plot of <em>La boh\u00e9me <\/em>eerily familiar. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/giacomo-puccini\/\">Puccini\u2019<\/a><\/strong>s 1896 opera is such a timeless classic that Jonathan Larson used it as the basis for his 1996 musical. <\/p><p>Just as we\u2019ve all been worried about the cost-of-living crisis, the characters of <em>La boh\u00e8me <\/em>were too. The plot follows four bohemians living in Paris, whose worlds are turned upside down when Mim\u00ec knocks on their door and quickly falls in love with Rodolfo. We discover that Mim\u00ec is gravely ill and Rodolfo is unable to support her. It\u2019s a tragic story of young love, friendship, mortality and heartbreak.<\/p><p>Seven leading singers and directors named <em>La boh\u00e8me <\/em>as one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/the-best-puccini-operas-as-chosen-by-7-leading-singers-and-directors\/\"><strong>Puccini\u2019s best operas<\/strong><\/a>. And we named the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/la-boheme-best-recordings\/\"><strong>best recordings of Puccini\u2019s <em>La boh\u00e8me <\/em>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><div class=\"is-layout-flow is-layout-flow wp-block-group highlight-box\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><ul><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/the-best-puccini-operas-as-chosen-by-7-leading-singers-and-directors\/\">The best Puccini operas, as chosen by 7 leading singers and directors<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><h3 id=\"h-verdi-s-la-traviata\"><strong>Verdi\u2019s <em>La traviata<\/em><\/strong><em> <\/em><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Verdi's La traviata\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RY39KrqwDnE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p>Quite a few of our choices are rather tragic, but heightened emotions are the name of the game when it comes to opera. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/giuseppe-verdi\">Verdi<\/a><\/strong>‘s <em>La traviata <\/em>is no different, telling the tragic love story between Alfredo Germont and the courtesan Violetta. <\/p><p>Set against the backdrop of a divided upper-class society, their love is illicit and threatens to destroy the Germont name. Again, it\u2019s helpful to have a film to hand for an entry into an opera. And, like <em>La boh\u00e8me<\/em>, <em>La Traviata <\/em>has enjoyed new life on the big screen. In 2001, its story was adapted for the film <em>Moulin Rouge!<\/em>. <\/p><h3 id=\"h-rossini-s-the-barber-of-seville\"><strong>Rossini\u2019s <em>The Barber of Seville<\/em><\/strong><\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Barber of Seville\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gDbBhzIcYj4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p>Last in our list of best operas for beginners is one that will bring a bit of light relief for all you opera beginners. <em>The Barber of Seville <\/em>is a frivolous, fizzy feast of fun, packed full of wit, excitement and vocal fireworks. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/gioachino-rossini\/\">Rossini\u2019<\/a><\/strong>s most famous opera focuses on a barber, Figaro, who must help Count Almaviva prise his love Rosina away from her evil, manipulative guardian, Dr Bartolo. It combines vocal jollities with physical comedy, making <em>The Barber of Seville <\/em>an opera for all the family to enjoy.<\/p><div class=\"is-layout-flow is-layout-flow wp-block-group highlight-box\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><ul><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/four-best-rossini-recordings\/\">Four of the best Rossini recordings<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-italian-composers-of-all-time\/\"><strong>The best Italian composers of all time<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-layout-flow is-layout-flow wp-block-group highlight-box\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><p><strong>More opera<\/strong><\/p><p>Elsewhere on the site, we ask <a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/which-are-the-best-opera-houses-in-italy\/\">which are the best opera houses in Italy?<\/a> and list <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/the-greatest-opera-composers-of-all-time\/\">the greatest opera composers of all time<\/a><\/strong>. We look at more <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-italian-operas\/\">Italian operas: 5 of the best to explore after Tosca<\/a><\/strong>, and we also profile <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/six-great-contemporary-operas\/\">six of the best contemporary operas<\/a><\/strong>. Last but not least, we ask, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/wagners-operas\/\">Which are Wagner’s best and most famous operas?<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Freya Parr Published: Sunday, 10 December 2023 at 20:48 PM Opera houses can be intimidating places, with their grand exteriors, formal \u2018dress codes\u2019 and multi-layered plot lines unravelling in foreign languages. Lately, however, opera companies have made moves to welcome new audiences in, with contemporary adaptations of centuries-old stories and surtitles providing English translations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":36449,"template":"","categories":[1,17],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/best-operas-for-beginners-five-operas-newbies-will-love.png",1536,1026,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/best-operas-for-beginners-five-operas-newbies-will-love-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/best-operas-for-beginners-five-operas-newbies-will-love-300x200.png",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/best-operas-for-beginners-five-operas-newbies-will-love-768x513.png",768,513,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/best-operas-for-beginners-five-operas-newbies-will-love-1024x684.png",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/best-operas-for-beginners-five-operas-newbies-will-love.png",1536,1026,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/best-operas-for-beginners-five-operas-newbies-will-love.png",1536,1026,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Freya Parr Published: Sunday, 10 December 2023 at 20:48 PM Opera houses can be intimidating places, with their grand exteriors, formal \u2018dress codes\u2019 and multi-layered plot lines unravelling in foreign languages. Lately, however, opera companies have made moves to welcome new audiences in, with contemporary adaptations of centuries-old stories and surtitles providing English translations…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/36448"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}