[Sunkist]

To counterbalance the abundance of screaming threads, I thought the Vocals forum could use a thread about opera.

For those who sing opera, what is your favorite aria to perform? How long have you been studying opera? What aspects of this type of singing do you especially enjoy? Do you have any plans to pursue a career in this field?

For everyone, have you ever been to the opera? The Met is broadcasting some operas into select movie theaters now. Isn't that awesome? I tried to see The Magic Flute last month, but the theater was completely sold out.

I've been studying opera for three years and absolutely love it.

[presbystrat]

I haven't really sang any opera though I have done a fair amount of classical music. I haven't been to any operas recently but I do enjoy them. I find the more familiar with them, the more that I enjoy them. I find it helps to go to one that is in English or has English subtitles. It's not much fun if you don't know what's going on.

[bobthecockroach]

Opera scares me. I think it's the vibrato.

[Ax]

In my vocal lessons we've been singing classic Italian Arias and Arietta's. She thinks that being trained classically will give me a more firm base to work off...

[MrCrabby]

I am not a huge fan of opera, I more prefer German Lieder and Italian art songs. Although I believe I will be singing one of Tamino's arias this semester.

[presbystrat]

Originally Posted by AXguitar

In my vocal lessons we've been singing classic Italian Arias and Arietta's. She thinks that being trained classically will give me a more firm base to work off...

Italian is one of the best languages to train with because it has pure vowels. I think classical music also has you sustain more of the notes which helps you with your technique.

[MrCrabby]

Originally Posted by presbystrat

Italian is one of the best languages to train with because it has pure vowels. I think classical music also has you sustain more of the notes which helps you with your technique.

Italian has pure vowels, but many exceptions. For me, German is easier to pronounce.

[Kenny C.]

I can listen to a bit of it, not too much, but a bit. My voice doesn't suit well to it, however.

[bobthecockroach]

Time for some Schubert.

[MrCrabby]

Eh....I don't relate well to Schubert. Don't get me wrong, I loves me some Auf dem wasser zu singen, but I enjoy Schumann so much more.

Is it odd that I relate well to a person who threw himself into the Rhine river and died in a sanatorium?

[bobthecockroach]

Originally Posted by MrCrabby

Eh....I don't relate well to Schubert. Don't get me wrong, I loves me some Auf dem wasser zu singen, but I enjoy Schumann so much more.

Is it odd that I relate well to a person who threw himself into the Rhine river and died in a sanatorium?

Yes.

Even if you don't like Schubert, you must admit that Erlkönig is a freaking awesome song. Of course, if you could actually read the original German like I can, it would pwn more because it's about the creepiest poem ever.

[presbystrat]

Originally Posted by MrCrabby

Italian has pure vowels, but many exceptions. For me, German is easier to pronounce.

I've always thought German is one of the hardest languages to sing.

[MrCrabby]

Since it is so close to English, it isn't too bad. Now try something like Japanese or Bulgarian, something that is nothing like English.

I have a recording of myself singing Beethoven lieder, but it's not as good as I would like it to be, so I won't post it.

[bobthecockroach]

German does have a lot of vowel sounds... and some sounds which just don't lend themselves to singing... like their lovely 'r' and 'ch.'

[MrCrabby]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

German does have a lot of vowel sounds... and some sounds which just don't lend themselves to singing... like their lovely 'r' and 'ch.'

German is more consistent than Italian. I discovered this while doing IPA transcriptions for my repertoire. I will never understand the Italian o and e.