I found the neatest thing at Costco. They had CDs of operas with the libretto in the original language, and English AND with a commentary. I have a book of Opera, that gives all the librettos, but it is a huge book, and I don't usually get it down from the book shelf. These librettos are actually bound in a book that is part of the CD case. On top of the libretto you get a very nice forward about the artist and the opera. Lovely. I got La Boheme, The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, Fidelio, Aida, and the Flying Dutchman. I already had a couple of those on CD, but this was such a nice collection I bought them again- plus it is a different performance, and it is always fun to compare. I like the Magic Flute a lot, but Don Giovanni will always be my favorite- have you seen the La Scala performance, taped in the 90's? It is available on DVD and video. Thomas Allen sings the baritone.
I don't know nearly enough about opera. But my mother took me all the time, beginning when I was in elementary school. We had season tickets to the arts center in LA- I remember one of the big thrills was to see Beverly Sills- I think the opera was Tosca. It was shortly before she retired- and my mother said I would always remember seeing her. And I have.
My mother, in her 80's now, goes to Opera class every week. Before she became feeble she even went on a European opera tour, and she still occasionally goes with her opera class to New York to see operas- depending on her mobility.
I'm not sure I've got the passion she does for opera. But then she does not have my passion for art movies. |
