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I've been getting into opera over the last few years - the way I think of it, as my tastes in fiction and television have gone more toward the epic (Game of Thr

I've been getting into opera over the last few years - the way I think of it, as my tastes in fiction and television have gone more toward the epic (Game of Thrones, Mad Men, etc) I've hungered for bigger/deeper musical experiences. A list created in 2001 naturally misses some amazing resources. Robert Greenberg's epic "How to Listen to and Understand Opera" is a wonderful, approachable primer to the subject and is a steal for 1 Audible credit (about $15 on the cheapest plan). Amazon Prime video has a solid collection of free video - I happily paid $25 for the version of Cosi Fon Tutte they have freely available - and you can practically find the entire operatic repertoire on YouTube. The Met Opera has a well reviewed streaming service - http://www.metopera.org/Season/On-Demand/Learn-More/ http://www.metopera.org/Season/On-Demand/Learn-More/. And this is lame, but even the best Blu-Ray performance/recording can't match the experience of live opera yet. I'm actually fascinated to see if VR narrows the gap, but there's currently not anything like feeling the performers' presence, hearing the unique acoustics of a world class hall. And opera crowds, while usually greying, often add a lot to the experience - there's something about sharing the experience, like being at a movie on opening weekend.

adrtessier 11y ago
I was coming here to also recommend "How to Listen To and Understand Opera". For the longest time I could not figure out opera at all, and even when I thought I understood it, I learned that I quickly did not. Learning (or, for some, tolerating until they "get") opera requires a very different frame of reference than learning pop music, or even understanding subgenres of more popular genres. It is one of the more difficult concepts I have had to wrap my head around for some reason. Out the other side of it, though, I am happy I gave it a go. As an example, the San Francisco Opera is a great company, and as opera patrons age into oblivion these institutions will be finding themselves without an audience if younger generations do not take the time to give opera a go. It is not what most people think; everyone I have run into in the opera house has been courteous, and I haven't detected a hint of snobbery. A night at the opera costs you about as much as seeing a major film, and the sound is pretty magical.
JoelMcCracken 11y ago
I haven't tried opera on blue-ray yet, but the DVD experience always underwhelmed me. Thanks for the recommendation of Amazon Prime! I have it, but rarely use it. This'll give me an opportunity to.

adrtessier 11y ago

I was coming here to also recommend "How to Listen To and Understand Opera". For the longest time I could not figure out opera at all, and even when I thought I understood it, I learned that I quickly did not. Learning (or, for some, tolerating until they "get") opera requires a very different frame of reference than learning pop music, or even understanding subgenres of more popular genres. It is one of the more difficult concepts I have had to wrap my head around for some reason. Out the other side of it, though, I am happy I gave it a go. As an example, the San Francisco Opera is a great company, and as opera patrons age into oblivion these institutions will be finding themselves without an audience if younger generations do not take the time to give opera a go. It is not what most people think; everyone I have run into in the opera house has been courteous, and I haven't detected a hint of snobbery. A night at the opera costs you about as much as seeing a major film, and the sound is pretty magical.

JoelMcCracken 11y ago

I haven't tried opera on blue-ray yet, but the DVD experience always underwhelmed me. Thanks for the recommendation of Amazon Prime! I have it, but rarely use it. This'll give me an opportunity to.