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Date sent: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 12:53:00 EST
Subject: Thanks To All! RE: First Opera Recommendations
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Thanks to all of you who responded to my recent inquiry about a first opera
experience for my friend. Here is a tally of the many results and some of
the specific responses of the poll for anyone else who might be interested:

The overwhelming winner was Rigoletto with La Traviata running a moderate
second since "That Verdi was one first-rate musical theater man" and it has a
"love story, singin', dancin', a good old boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy
gets girl back, girl dies of consumption (that's opera for you!)". Rigoletto
wins by a couple of lengths, since it is easily understandable, the music is
wonderful, some of it might be familiar and in addition it provides a good
cast of characters. He'll be sure to recognize La
donna'e mobile and "Caro Nome is just so beautiful that no one could remain
unmoved". Several people mentioned Rigoletto as having been their first
opera, and that was a good vote of confidence, since we're all still here!
And, more than a couple people mention the fact that Rigoletto is, in many
ways, an indestructible (I believe Laurie Kubiak said Bl**dy Indestructible!)
show and even a bad performance isn't likely to turn anyone off.

Some people recommended Billy Budd because it's in English and is a "guy's"
type of opera with its male cast. Though I, admittedly, poo poo'd Hansel and
Gretel, many of you were kind to point out it wouldn't be a bad choice for a
newbie, since it's easy to understand and is void of the "Brunhilde with the
wonky vibrato" (I loved that one, Jennifer) which might turn off a
first-timer. But, more people voted against it, since there were better
choices and it requires a certain amount of "suspended disbelief". Puccini's
La Rondine got mentionet Aida barely finished the race and more than one
person wrote something akin to "ACK" about Aida.

So, that's the rundown. I guess we'll be attending Rigoletto! Thanks so
much for all your input. I appreciate the great advice.

Best,
Jessica
Los Angeles



> Hi List,
>
> I am planning to take a dear friend to see his
> very first opera soon. I want
> to choose the most "user friendly" production,
> lest he be scared off by the
> heavy :::with nose in the air::: OPERA. I want
> him to fall in love with it as
> I have, but I'm stumped as to the best choice.
> Choices in and around my area
> coming up soon are:
>
> La Traviata
> Aida
> Hansel & Gretel (groan)
> Faust
> Rigoletto
> La Rondine
> Billy Budd
>
> Any recommendations? And why, please?
>
> Thanks!
> Jessica