Famous Opera Arias
74
Famous Opera Songs
Here is an excellent rendition of the very famous "Nessum Dorma" from Turandot:
Famous opera arias/songs - an aria is a song from an opera. Since opera is influenced by the ‘theater play’ form, it emulates many of its features - most operas have spoken parts, recitatives (combination of speaking with musical accompaniment), and arias AKA songs.
Operas have been around since the Late Renaissance, culminating with the operas of Wagner, Verdi, and Puccini at the end of the 19th Century, early 20th Century.
“Largo al Factotum” from The Barber of Seville - Rossini
It should be no surprise to anyone, that any discussion related to opera, starts off with Rossini.
What’s interesting is that few people ever discuss how much money in royalties would be due to Rossini, if he could somehow return from the grave?... This piece is a cliché - even toddlers have heard “Figaro” in some form or another - cartoons, television, movies, you name it! “Largo al Factotum AKA make way for the gofer . Figaro is a drama queen, and is singing about all the duties he has to perform for his employer: Count Almaviva - “Figaro here. Figaro there. Figaro everywhere - he’d probably be cloned today. This is one of the most difficult baritone arias ever.
“Chi mi Frena in tal Momento” (Sextet) from Lucia di Lammermoor - Donizetti
Scottish folklore was a big deal when Donizetti was around; furthermore, Rossini had retired from the musical scene and Bellini had recently died leaving Donizetti the sole master of Italian Opera at the time. “Lucia” as it’s known by opera connoisseurs , is based on Walter Scott’s novel: “The Bride of Lammermoor,” considered to this day one the 10-15 most famous operas ever written. The Sextet is a must for anyone interested in opera - it's one of the most beautiful arias ever written.
“Nessum Dorma” from Turandot - Puccini
Another opera libretto based on one of Schiller’s tragedies. This piece alone, is so gorgeous, that it instantly places Puccini on top of the food chain, where Italian Opera is concerned. There are myriads of recordings of this piece available - Pavarotti does a fantastic job.
“La Donna e Mobile” from Rigoletto - Verdi
This piece, like Largo al Factotum has become a cliché. The opera is one of the most famous ever written, yet, this piece is so well known, that it’s even more famous than the opera....
“Drinking Song” from La Traviata - Verdi
This piece is sung in Act I, and it’s one of the most famous opera arias ever written.
“Musetta’s Waltz” from La Boheme - Puccini
This aria is very well known, a must listen to for beginners to the world of opera.
“Barcarolle” from The Tales of Hoffman - Offenbach
It’s sung in the beginning of Act III, one of Offenbach’s most famous compositions.
“March” from Aida - Verdi
This scene from Aida is spectacular to say the least. Large forces required on stage to perform this famous march which takes place in Act II.
“Una Voce poco Fa” from The Barber of Seville - Rossini
This piece is not only famous, but very demanding for sopranos to sing.
“O Mio Babino Caro” from Gianni Schicchi - Puccini
Another very famous aria by Puccini, even if the opera is not much worth telling about.
CommentsLoading...
Anytime Christopheranton - I had my "You Tube Fix" earlier today while writing the hub.
Take care of yourself
John
Thank you for the aria list. Classical music has always been my favorite type of music, but I haven’t listened to some of the arias on your list for a long time. Visiting You Tube to hear them again sounds like a great idea!
I thought only Miley Cyrus got 100 mill plus hits on You Tube, but I was wrong, Nessum Dorma is right up there with her....
Thank you and take care
John
Fun! I'm familiar with most of these, but there's a couple I'll have to listen to again to remember.
Also, does La Traviata's drinking song really count as an aria, since it's a duet? And incorporates chorus?
These arias are really famous. Just go on a "You Tube fix" to quote christopheranton and listen to them - myriads of recordings abound....
Yes, any song from an opera is considered an aria, be it a duet, trio, sextet (as in the case of Lucia) - any song....
Thanks for reading my hub and take care
John
How interesting. My music dictionary must be outdated.
You have good point elfishflea. Many people get confused with the concept of the chorus in music (general: opera, musicals, etc). The reason being that Greek Drama (which is where everthing comes from....) used choruses in their plays, the chorus represents the higher and more intellectual point of view, whereas the song (usually sung by one singer) represent the individual's personal point of view. If you stick to this concept, you'll see that I'm right. Nevertheless, generally speaking, arias are songs from an opera....
Thanks and take care
John
"O Mio bambino caro" I have sung. I've sung an aria from Figaro, though not the one you mention. One of my dearest friends who died this year loved to sing "Nessum Dorma."
There is a comic piece for two or more singers called "Painless Opera" which takes famous pieces from operas and gives new lyrics to them in the manner of making fun of people who don't know opera. I used to belong to a group called the Chilliwack Divas, and this was one of our signature pieces. It has songs from Puccini, Rossini, Bizet, etc. Talking about how most people are introduced to classical music in general, there is a line to the tune of "Toreador" that "sure, you've heard this music before. It's not a cartoon, it's toreador. Saturday morning, won't be the same. Now that you know this tune's name."
I accompanied a soprano friend of mine on the piano in "O Mio Babino Caro" many years ago....
Thank you for the info. I didn't know that. Some of these operas are so famous, that musicians have done all sorts of variations on the well known arias....
Thank you so much and take care
John
christopheranton Level 7 Commenter 11 months ago
Thanks for those reminders of some of my favourite arias.
I,m off to You Tube now for a "Fix".