Opera for novices - Aida / La Traviata / Barber of Seville?

[havoc]

Got the opportunity to see one of these three in a proper open-air ampitheatre - which of the above is going to be most enjoyable for two non-operaphiles?

I'm aware BoS is a comedy and the other two are love-stories...but does that mean it's going to be more accesible?

Cheers,

Martin.

[kiteless]

Personally, I'd pay to see a good production of either Barber of Seville or La Traviata. The music of Aida has always left me a little cold.

Although BoS has one of my favourite arias in it (the Largo al Factotum - "Figaro Figaro Figaro etc etc), it is a very difficult plot to follow what with Count Almaviva pretending to be someone called Lindoro and then pretending to be a drunk soldier dressed up as someone else called Don Alonso

I'd go for La Trav. It's a very emotional easy to follow story with some very, very agreeable music.

[goldblum]

Hmm Verdi or Rossini?

Barber of Seville wins every time for me.It's a comedic romp with some recognisable,catchy tunes.It should be fun.

The Verdi stuff will also be good (you're talking well into the top 10 of opera here!) but possibly a bit dull.

[havoc]

Two opposing views*...anyone want to suggest Aida and make the set?!?

(Thanks both anyway...nice to find out more about them...)






* "You're not helping very much!"