Here is one piece that always makes my lists. Luciano Pavarotti, one of the greatest tenors of all time is singing "Che gelida manina" a tenor aria from the first act of Puccini's opera, La bohème. The aria is sung by Rodolfo to Mimì when they first meet.
I was always too poor paying school fees for two children to attend Opera let alone any of Pavarotti’s special performances in Australia.. Listen to Radio, remember the first time I saw them on TV live, The Three Tenors.. so moving.. I might be wrong about it having been live but it was definitely filmed in the open, possibly Verona. Then perhaps re-televised. Do you know what the location of this performance was..?
I cannot believe the above text.. la Boheme this is a co-incidence I know .. I was in Luca in February 2019, spent 35 days going around Italy by train. When I arrived, it was early afternoon, I dropped off my case grabbed my keys and started walking. Went to Puccini’s family home. Stood in amazement looking at his Steinway Piano not really believing that I was there.. it was like pinch yourself wake up this is not a dream. Bellissimo
I have only been to opera once. Loved it, but find difficulty in persuading others to go. I do play a three tenors CD in my car lol. I would like to understand more about the story behind the arias.
I grew up with opera - both parents loved it, had season tickets to the Met every year, & could sing along. I do love a lot of the arias, and look forward to reconnecting. I have seen La Boheme, Carmen, Turandot, Madame Butterfly, The Barber of Seville.
I grew up with Opera and as a child was taken round La Scala ( really wanted to see the football instead ) with my brothers in the early 60s. My father was a huge fan of Pertile and Martinelli and an English singer ( maybe Irish ? ) Tom Burke.
I’m just getting back in to Opera now and by choice will cook with Maria Callas in background
I fell in love with opera in the 1960’s seeing Pavarotti in ‘King of the high c’s, on tv - have not found it on you tube, but it changed my life, and i trained as a high baritone, and sang in recitals etc, for music societies and the like. I still sing, in a choir and i’m nearly 70.
Thank you Michele, since I was very little I bathed in classical music, I started the dance at 4 years the piano at 6, my parents offered me an education very rich in diverse knowledge: music, reading, dance, sports etc . Then when I entered the working life I had my hobbies, I stopped ( alas) the piano, and I turned it more towards classical music leaving a little ... much aside the opera and the operetta ( knowing that I got 2 prizes for operetta singing when I was at the Conservatory). of course I often recognize airs and operas but I confess to myself that knowledge is I believe very superficial and I would like, thanks to you and your wonderful idea, to deepen it. A bientôt je l’espère !!
I’ve just signed up and look forward to the opera you share. Thank you for spreading the wonderful feeling that wells up inside whoever opens their ears and falls in love. 💝
I lived in diggs many years ago. One guest happened to be an opera singer. A small party happened to be arranged. By popular demand she sang..............Wow! in a smallish room in a Victorian house, the sound exploded. She was amazing and such good fun.
I love this first post - can’t wait to receive the next one in my email box - thank you! 🙏🏼🎼
So cool to see Pavarotti from the 60s! Just breathtaking!
I was always too poor paying school fees for two children to attend Opera let alone any of Pavarotti’s special performances in Australia.. Listen to Radio, remember the first time I saw them on TV live, The Three Tenors.. so moving.. I might be wrong about it having been live but it was definitely filmed in the open, possibly Verona. Then perhaps re-televised. Do you know what the location of this performance was..?
I cannot believe the above text.. la Boheme this is a co-incidence I know .. I was in Luca in February 2019, spent 35 days going around Italy by train. When I arrived, it was early afternoon, I dropped off my case grabbed my keys and started walking. Went to Puccini’s family home. Stood in amazement looking at his Steinway Piano not really believing that I was there.. it was like pinch yourself wake up this is not a dream. Bellissimo
Love the opera in the movie The Godfather. Makes you want to get up and do something wonderful
Have been to Opera in the Bowl a few times and love it.
Thanks for doing this I am looking forward to learning and listening.
I have only been to opera once. Loved it, but find difficulty in persuading others to go. I do play a three tenors CD in my car lol. I would like to understand more about the story behind the arias.
I grew up with opera - both parents loved it, had season tickets to the Met every year, & could sing along. I do love a lot of the arias, and look forward to reconnecting. I have seen La Boheme, Carmen, Turandot, Madame Butterfly, The Barber of Seville.
I grew up with Opera and as a child was taken round La Scala ( really wanted to see the football instead ) with my brothers in the early 60s. My father was a huge fan of Pertile and Martinelli and an English singer ( maybe Irish ? ) Tom Burke.
I’m just getting back in to Opera now and by choice will cook with Maria Callas in background
I FOUND opera by accident and just fell in love. I have never been lucky enough to go. Need a nice something in these difficult times
I grew up with opera in a little Irish town in the West of Ireland. We had a terrific operatic society and I saw my first opera, Aida, aged 6 in 1963.
I fell in love with opera in the 1960’s seeing Pavarotti in ‘King of the high c’s, on tv - have not found it on you tube, but it changed my life, and i trained as a high baritone, and sang in recitals etc, for music societies and the like. I still sing, in a choir and i’m nearly 70.
Thank you Michele, since I was very little I bathed in classical music, I started the dance at 4 years the piano at 6, my parents offered me an education very rich in diverse knowledge: music, reading, dance, sports etc . Then when I entered the working life I had my hobbies, I stopped ( alas) the piano, and I turned it more towards classical music leaving a little ... much aside the opera and the operetta ( knowing that I got 2 prizes for operetta singing when I was at the Conservatory). of course I often recognize airs and operas but I confess to myself that knowledge is I believe very superficial and I would like, thanks to you and your wonderful idea, to deepen it. A bientôt je l’espère !!
I’ve just signed up and look forward to the opera you share. Thank you for spreading the wonderful feeling that wells up inside whoever opens their ears and falls in love. 💝
I’ve always loved opera but never attended one. Just wish I could understand what they are singing about!
I lived in diggs many years ago. One guest happened to be an opera singer. A small party happened to be arranged. By popular demand she sang..............Wow! in a smallish room in a Victorian house, the sound exploded. She was amazing and such good fun.