Le Comte Ory

Hello! I'm back again with a new opera to add to my ever-growing repertoire.
On Nov. 1, we renewed our subscription to the Met Player (on the Metropolitan Opera's website). They have videos of performances that you can watch on the computer if you have a subscription.
The first opera we watched was Rossini's rarely performed comedy Le Comte Ory,
also the Met's premiere production.
Juan Diego Florez starred in the title role as the notorious Count Ory, a young nobleman almost in the mode of a Don Giovanni.
Diana Damrau played the Countess Adele, pursued by Ory but able and willing to slap him in the face if he goes too far.
Joyce DiDonato was wonderful as Isolier, the Count's page. Isolier is Adele's cousin, but that doesn't stop him from falling head-over-heels in love with the beautiful and dignified Countess.
 The amazing thing was that just an hour before the opening night performance in March, the tenor was in a bit of a predicament. Juan Diego Florez's wife was having their first child, and the theater needed him in half an hour.
Juan Diego had stayed up all night to help with the birth, and the baby boy was born five minutes before the tenor was due at the opera house.
Despite the fact that his first child had just been born, and the fact that he had stayed up all night, Juan Diego Florez gave an brilliant performance.

I had a lot of fun watching Le Comte Ory, especially during the scenes where the Count disguises first as a hermit, and then a nun!
If you ever get a chance to watch this great little opera, I would reccomend it.
Le Comte Ory may be hard to find a performance of, but it's definitely worth it!

Don Giovanni

Hello again! Opera Girl here.
On Saturday, I went to see a new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, starring Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role.
I really liked it, especially Donna Anna (Marina Rebeka), Leporello (Luca Pisaroni), Masetto (Joshua Bloom) and Don Giovanni.
The Metropolitan Opera broadcasts their Live In HD performances to movie theaters around the world. I like these broadcasts because it feels like you are really there. The video quality is also excellent.
I think that of all the wonderful operas out there, Don Giovanni will always be my favorite.

Top 5 operas for beginners

Hello, opera fans!
I'm so glad that I could start this blog all about opera.   Since I am an opera critic-in-the-making, I will be posting some of my reviews.  This is a kid-friendly website, so I have a list below of what I think are the top 5 operas to watch if you are new to this.  My first opera was Le Nozze di Figaro, and that launched
an incredible passion for opera.   Have fun exploring this whole new world!

1.   Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) The Marriage of Figaro
This is a good opera for those who are new to opera. It has great music, a good amount of action, and a good story line.   I recommend the Glyndebourne Festival Opera's 1994 production starring Gerald Finley and Alison Hagley. I like this DVD because of the simple sets and costumes, and the wonderful acting.


2. Il Barbiere di Sivglia (Rossini) The Barber of Seville
This is great for people who don't like to sit through long arias.   It has the same characters as Marriage of Figaro, and it has wonderful music and a simple plot.   Being a comedy, it is very funny and lively, so lots of laughs guaranteed.


3. Carmen (Bizet)
This is just about the most flashy, dramatic opera ever - a gypsy dance, a knife fight, and more! Carmen's Habanera has been used in cartoons and TV shows, so you will probably recognize it.   This is for older kids (who are about 10 and up); some of the stuff is not appropriate for younger children.


4. Die Fledermaus (J. Strauss) The Bat
Die Fledermaus has GOT to be the funniest opera that I have ever seen!   It has GREAT music, a funny story, and all sorts of other mischief - including a big party, a flirtatious maid, and even - you said it - a bat.   Johann Strauss, known as the Waltz King, put the a wonderful waltz in the party scene - we also hear it in the overture.


5. La Traviata (Verdi) The Misguided Girl
Last, but not least, the great opera composer Giuseppe Verdi presents us with his best-loved opera... La Traviata!   This opera ranks high on my favorites list - number II, to be exact. The plot is simple - only three main characters to keep track of, and some of the best opera music you will ever hear. This opera has a very tragic ending, so it is good for those of  us who like a good cry.   Incredible music that only Verdi could write makes this opera a treasure.

Benvenuto!

(Italian word for the day meaning Welcome!)

Grazie (Thank you!) for tuning in to my new blog.
I am a young opera enthusiast/opera critic in the making. I plan to feature everything opera! Reviews, Photographs, Videos, Recent Opera Current Events, my own compositions and stories.....pretty much everything until the "Fat Lady Sings"! Stay tuned (in the key of "see") as I get started on my blogging adventures!

Beethoven's Recital

I performed in a Halloween Recital as Beethoven (far left)