On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:10:58 -0400, hk wrote:


By providing a list of popular opera tunes? Too highbrow for the
pseudomusicians in this newsgroup?

I really believe opera didn't catch on here because of language.
Aside from excellent voices, opera tells a story on the stage.
If you don't understand the words, you don't hear the story.
Of course you can read along with a translation, or learn the
language.
Musicals in English did well here, and wasn't HMS Pinafore an opera?
West Side Story, Seven Brides..... were moneymakers.
Even that said, who here hasn't enjoyed the Three Tenors even when not
understanding the words?

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:10:58 -0400, hk wrote:

By providing a list of popular opera tunes? Too highbrow for the
pseudomusicians in this newsgroup?

I really believe opera didn't catch on here because of language.
Aside from excellent voices, opera tells a story on the stage.
If you don't understand the words, you don't hear the story.
Of course you can read along with a translation, or learn the
language.
Musicals in English did well here, and wasn't HMS Pinafore an opera?
West Side Story, Seven Brides..... were moneymakers.
Even that said, who here hasn't enjoyed the Three Tenors even when not
understanding the words?

--Vic


Gilbert and Sullivan were the most successful creators of "musicals" in
their day, and their operetta, Pinafore, is one of the best. It's "opera
light" and lots of fun.

Your point on language is well-taken. Many operas written in foreign
languages are produced in English from time to time, but English is just
not as musically colorful in the opera genre as Italian. Italian just
plain sings well. French is a step down from Italian, but still more
musical for the genre than English.

I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because most
opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of silly. I
love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if you don't
understand the language, you can understand the emotions being sung.

George and Ira Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is probably the "best" American
Opera. West Side Story certainly is opera-esque, but it really is a
Broadway musical. Bernstein's music and Sondheim's lyrics are terrific.




--
Republicans - They Take Special Pride in their Ignorance.

On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:54 -0400, hk wrote:


I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because most
opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of silly. I
love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if you don't
understand the language, you can understand the emotions being sung.

Right. But it sure helps to understand the words. Saw Andrea Bocelli
on PBS once and seeing the words scroll as he sang a song in tribute
to his recently dead father added much poignance for me.
Words do matter.
My favorite voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OP22rETN-s

Imagine not knowing what the words meant. Though the melody
and voice are uplifting, the words are expressing utmost sadness.
True art.
Of course Roy is absolutely unique.

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:54 -0400, hk wrote:

I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because most
opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of silly. I
love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if you don't
understand the language, you can understand the emotions being sung.

Right. But it sure helps to understand the words. Saw Andrea Bocelli
on PBS once and seeing the words scroll as he sang a song in tribute
to his recently dead father added much poignance for me.
Words do matter.
My favorite voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OP22rETN-s

Imagine not knowing what the words meant. Though the melody
and voice are uplifting, the words are expressing utmost sadness.
True art.
Of course Roy is absolutely unique.

--Vic


"Roy" was more than unique. Have you got the Traveling Wilburys CD?
Fabulous, and you sure can tell when it's Roy singing, though there are
no slouches on the CD. I like George Harrison's work on it, too. One of
my all-time favorite CDs.



--
Republicans - They Take Special Pride in their Ignorance.

On Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:42:57 -0400, hk wrote:



"Roy" was more than unique. Have you got the Traveling Wilburys CD?
Fabulous, and you sure can tell when it's Roy singing, though there are
no slouches on the CD. I like George Harrison's work on it, too. One of
my all-time favorite CDs.

No, but I've heard cuts. Got the DVD of the gig with Bruce, Elvis,
Bonnie, etc. Tell the truth, I don't listen to CD's except when were
on the highway, and at Christmas time.
Wasted a lot of money buying CD's we listened to once, and some were
never opened. My wife's idea of course. She enjoys music more than
me.
The Orbison DVD and a BeeGees DVD "bought" from PBS have gotten a lot
of play. I'm not exactly a musical person. Just enjoy listening now
and then.

--Vic

"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:54 -0400, hk wrote:

I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because most
opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of silly. I
love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if you don't
understand the language, you can understand the emotions being sung.

Right. But it sure helps to understand the words. Saw Andrea Bocelli
on PBS once and seeing the words scroll as he sang a song in tribute
to his recently dead father added much poignance for me.
Words do matter.
My favorite voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OP22rETN-s

Imagine not knowing what the words meant. Though the melody
and voice are uplifting, the words are expressing utmost sadness.
True art.
Of course Roy is absolutely unique.

--Vic


"Roy" was more than unique. Have you got the Traveling Wilburys CD?
Fabulous, and you sure can tell when it's Roy singing, though there are no
slouches on the CD. I like George Harrison's work on it, too. One of my
all-time favorite CDs.


I have both their albums... Vol 1 & Vol 3. Vol 1 is my favourite.
http://www.travelingwilburys.com/home.html

Don White wrote:
"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:54 -0400, hk wrote:

I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because most
opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of silly. I
love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if you don't
understand the language, you can understand the emotions being sung.

Right. But it sure helps to understand the words. Saw Andrea Bocelli
on PBS once and seeing the words scroll as he sang a song in tribute
to his recently dead father added much poignance for me.
Words do matter.
My favorite voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OP22rETN-s

Imagine not knowing what the words meant. Though the melody
and voice are uplifting, the words are expressing utmost sadness.
True art.
Of course Roy is absolutely unique.

--Vic

"Roy" was more than unique. Have you got the Traveling Wilburys CD?
Fabulous, and you sure can tell when it's Roy singing, though there are no
slouches on the CD. I like George Harrison's work on it, too. One of my
all-time favorite CDs.


I have both their albums... Vol 1 & Vol 3. Vol 1 is my favourite.
http://www.travelingwilburys.com/home.html



#1 is the gem. I love "last night" and "end of the line."




--
"The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade
and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion,
regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts
to weaken or undermine that right."

hk wrote:
Don White wrote:
"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:54 -0400, hk wrote:

I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because
most opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of
silly. I love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if
you don't understand the language, you can understand the emotions
being sung.

Right. But it sure helps to understand the words. Saw Andrea Bocelli
on PBS once and seeing the words scroll as he sang a song in tribute
to his recently dead father added much poignance for me.
Words do matter.
My favorite voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OP22rETN-s

Imagine not knowing what the words meant. Though the melody
and voice are uplifting, the words are expressing utmost sadness.
True art.
Of course Roy is absolutely unique.

--Vic

"Roy" was more than unique. Have you got the Traveling Wilburys CD?
Fabulous, and you sure can tell when it's Roy singing, though there
are no slouches on the CD. I like George Harrison's work on it, too.
One of my all-time favorite CDs.


I have both their albums... Vol 1 & Vol 3. Vol 1 is my favourite.
http://www.travelingwilburys.com/home.html



#1 is the gem. I love "last night" and "end of the line."





Oh, I am sorry, since Harry liked the group, this OT drivel is allowed.

Don White wrote:
"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:54 -0400, hk wrote:

I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because most
opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of silly. I
love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if you don't
understand the language, you can understand the emotions being sung.

Right. But it sure helps to understand the words. Saw Andrea Bocelli
on PBS once and seeing the words scroll as he sang a song in tribute
to his recently dead father added much poignance for me.
Words do matter.
My favorite voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OP22rETN-s

Imagine not knowing what the words meant. Though the melody
and voice are uplifting, the words are expressing utmost sadness.
True art.
Of course Roy is absolutely unique.

--Vic

"Roy" was more than unique. Have you got the Traveling Wilburys CD?
Fabulous, and you sure can tell when it's Roy singing, though there are no
slouches on the CD. I like George Harrison's work on it, too. One of my
all-time favorite CDs.


I have both their albums... Vol 1 & Vol 3. Vol 1 is my favourite.
http://www.travelingwilburys.com/home.html



Don,
This is exactly the kind of posts that Harry doesn't like, off topic drivel.

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:54 -0400, hk wrote:


I'm not sure how important "the story" is for most opera, because most
opera stories are way, way over the top and, in fact, kind of silly. I
love opera for the singing and then for the music. Even if you don't
understand the language, you can understand the emotions being sung.

Right. But it sure helps to understand the words. Saw Andrea Bocelli
on PBS once and seeing the words scroll as he sang a song in tribute
to his recently dead father added much poignance for me.
Words do matter.
My favorite voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OP22rETN-s

Imagine not knowing what the words meant. Though the melody
and voice are uplifting, the words are expressing utmost sadness.
True art.
Of course Roy is absolutely unique.

--Vic

Roy was opera trained. Has been said that he would of been of the great
singers of opera.