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Title: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:35pm OK - so the other day I rented Madame Butterfly. I did not realize that it was an opera. Personally - I cant get passed the singing - so I went to go turn it off and my daughter (11 years old) threw a fit, and wanted to watch it. I went off and fell asleep... Not only did she like it - she was entranced. She understood what was going on - and liked it - and wanted to watch it again. I couldn't believe it. This is a girl who doesn't understand what's going on in a movie that they talk English in half the time. She has a hard time understanding stuff............... but she totally understood this opera. The had to read the subtitles to follow along - but she did. This is amazing to me - She wants to watch more movies like that......... So - since I know NOTHING about operas.... I have to ask you guys... :P Know any? Tina - who has no culture. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Jeepgun on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:37pm La Boheme is fantastic - Truly a timeless classic. :) |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:37pm oh - and she loved Phantom of the Opera...... |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Jeepgun on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:38pm Oh man... Take her to see it live, Tina! Mari and I saw it in Nashville, last autumn... We're hooked. The music, the costumes, the special effects happening right there on the stage... It's phenomenal! :) |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by ghost62 on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:38pm As though we werse cultured ;;D ;;D [smiley=laugh.gif] |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:38pm on 10/05/05 at 15:37:24, Jeepgun wrote:
What's it about? |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by ghost62 on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:40pm Im still tryn to get through bugs bunny doing barber of seville ;;D |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Jeepgun on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:40pm Well... That's like asking what Shakespeare is about. It's the story of two young men who fall in love with two young women and their stories. That is the most basic version of it. LOL I won't spoil it by telling you the whole story. But it's wonderful... |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:41pm But if you go to a live opera - how can you follow along if it's in another language?? Do they have the words for you somewhere? I could always take her to something in Chicago - but I dont want to take her unknowingly to something that isn't appropriate for an 11 yr old . I know nothing about it. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Lizzie2 on Oct 5th, 2005, 3:59pm Woobs, First off - if she liked Phantom of the Opera- does she like other musicals? Right then and there that's going to be a little more tolerable to YOU. LOL I hate opera. In fact, I can't sit through it for more than 5 seconds without wanting to peel my skin off. That said, don't have her watch any opera by Beethoven, although those would be hard to find - as his operas really sucked a lot. Aida (the opera version), I'm told is excellent. The musical is terrific. Anything by Giuseppi Verdi is probably the most tolerable. I dunno. I'm out of my element. I so hate opera. haha Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by ivanov on Oct 5th, 2005, 4:13pm If your daughter liked Madame Butterfly you might want to try her on the Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Two of my favorites are The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance. Dan |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 5th, 2005, 4:17pm I think Musicals would be MUCH more tolerable for me to sit through. But, I dont know about those either. What would be a good one.........?? live or movie.............. dont care. I just wanna let her see more of it if she enjoys it. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 5th, 2005, 4:20pm HI Dan!!!!!!!!!!! Long time no see! I went to your website a couple weeks ago to check up on your new art. I still have the kitty as my desktop wallpaper. Are those movies or actual Live shows? I've been looking around the chicago area to see what's playing ........... but honestly - I dont know anything about any of it........ Like I said - I dont unknowingly want to take her to something innappropriate for her age. and I want to be able to understand the thing too - if I have to sit through it... Maybe I should just start with movies. It's cheaper to rent movies... LOL You guys are way more cultured than I am... I am with ghost here..............LOL But this kid isn't interested in ANYTHING - so when she shows in interest in something - I try to help her out. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Jeepgun on Oct 5th, 2005, 4:49pm Good choices, Dan. Les Miserables is a good musical, too. And there's always the perennial favorite: Cats. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by ivanov on Oct 5th, 2005, 4:51pm Thanks Woobie, Why I suggested Gilbert and Sullivan is because it is light comedic opera. I do not know if there are any live shows going on but if you go to the PBS website they should have some on DVD. http://www.pbs.org I believe even you will enjoy these. I think your daughters interest in opera should be encouraged to the max - heaven knows where it might lead her. Good culture never goes out of style. Dan |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Simon on Oct 5th, 2005, 5:31pm Hi, Most people react emotionally to oper rather than because of the plots or words (after all most are absurd). Personally I'd avoid G&S operettas with a youngster as the comedy is so much rooted in nineteenth century English comedies of manners - a little above most 11 year olds! Even English kids look perplexed. If any "The Mikado" is worth a try. You could try Mozart's "Magic Flute" - a pantomime in all but name, dragons, evil Queens, over-the-top heros and heroines and a totally lunatic bird-catcher. I find even younger children enjoy that. Aida (Verdi) is certainly suitable for the more visceral reactions - though may be a little long. Has a great march, and a really moving ending. As a Wagner freak I'd push "The Flying Dutchman" -some great tunes and far more chorus work than his later stuff. Puccini's "Turandot" has a great plot, famous finale, and three characters called Ping, Pang and Pong. Love story par excellence. If someone is going to like opera they very often find themselves wowed by any Puccini. I also tried some ballet recently with the six-year-olds; Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" was adored - even by the boys. Probably worth trying to get a detailed synopsis and let her read it, then the subtitles become less important and she can just relax and let it wash over her. Incidentally many opera houses here have surtitles above the stage to help - probably the same in the States. Really glad to hear she enjoyed it - if it lasts it will become a lifelong passion. My favourite day of all time was when a group of friends at college set aside a day to listen to Wagner's "Ring" in one go - all sixteen hours of it! Musical version of a cricket match - yummy! Baa |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Jonny on Oct 5th, 2005, 5:40pm on 10/05/05 at 17:31:23, Simon wrote:
You should be flogged just for doing that, Molly ;;D |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by rextangle on Oct 5th, 2005, 5:55pm Wow... Madam Butterfly is pretty heavy for an 11 y.o! With the big suicide scene at the end... If she likes it, let her watch more!!! Falstaff is a good one (humorsitic) and Cosi Fan Tutti, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Figaro's Wedding.... Rock on! ;;D |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Ueli on Oct 5th, 2005, 6:08pm One opera I can recommend is Opera 8.5 No more adds! Now completely free at www.opera.com ;;D [smiley=smokin.gif] ;;D [smiley=smokin.gif] ;;D [smiley=smokin.gif] ;;D [smiley=smokin.gif] ;;D |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 5th, 2005, 6:22pm Hey Woobs, The only opera I know is the rock opera TOMMY by the Who. lol Musicals are fun though. Take her to see Blue Man Group. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by lionsound on Oct 5th, 2005, 8:23pm Woobie, My ten year old has been going to the opera with my inlaws since he was eight. He loves it! They usually read the story online before they go so he knows what's going on. And he does not go and see those that are not appropriate for him. Now my six year old loves it too! This summer they were both in the chorus of the opera CARMEN. It was a wonderful experience for them. I never really liked the opera until I saw them in it on the huge stage! Three times!!! :D Going can be completely different than watching it on TV. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Charlie on Oct 5th, 2005, 10:34pm I'm into the overtures. I can't say that I've gotten a lot more out of it but then as a kid I was a horse opera fan. Some of my favorite music though. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/notes smiley.gif Charlie |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by cootie on Oct 5th, 2005, 10:41pm Could it be that just haveing to 'read' the subtitles 'caught' her attention span ? Maybe more good grade foreign movies with the subtitles will work too ? (seen enuff bad ones.......even drunk they suck) Read to me cuz I'm deaf Pam |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 5th, 2005, 10:44pm Operas and musicals..........they'd be great, if it wasn't for all the damned singing. I'm with Ueli on this one. Opera 8.X. Culture vs Agriculture. I'll be in the north 40. RJ |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Peppermint on Oct 6th, 2005, 9:37am on 10/05/05 at 17:31:23, Simon wrote:
See? :) Turandot, and Puccini... Romeo & Juliet & The Nutcracker too Woobs. back to the dungeon with me, pep |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by sandie99 on Oct 6th, 2005, 2:03pm on 10/05/05 at 17:31:23, Simon wrote:
I've loved that opera since I was 8! :) I've got it on VHS and I've seen it live twice. My parents love the opera and ballet, so I've seen plenty of those on my time. The Magic Flute is the best, but I loved also Bizet's Carmen. La Traviata was good one and so was The Merry Women of Windsor. I've seen The Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet (twice). :) Sanna, the operanut P.S. I just promised to take a friend of mine to the opera. He's been to there once. :) |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Carl_D on Oct 6th, 2005, 9:10pm My Favorite opera is Carmen. It is both sad and beautiful at the same time. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Other than that, the only other musicals I got into was of course "Tommy" "Quadrophenia" "Pink Floyd - The Wall" and the cheesy yet hilarious audience partici-----pation of "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Spinal Tap had talked at one time about doing a musical on the life of Jack The Ripper. I loved the song they were singing "You're a naughty one - saucy Jack." 8) |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by ClusterChuck on Oct 7th, 2005, 5:10am WOW, Minnie! The choices are endless. The question you asked is like saying, "my daughter/son saw his first movie, and he liked it. What movie should I take him to?" I happen to love opera. I don't always understand what they are saying, but I always read about it first, as someone said, earlier. If you look, some of them are produced in English. But, even if I don't know the full story, just to watch, and listen to the fine musical instruments of their voices is a treat. The range. The total control. The beauty, is a rare treat! As far as musicals, again there are some great ones out there. Some of my favorites: Oklahoma; County Fair; My fair Lady; Best little sleeper house in Texas; Grease; The Sound of Music; Guys and Dolls; Jesus Christ, Superstar; kerap, I can't think of the name of it, but it is about a kid that works in a flower shop, and he gets a plant that grows on human blood. It grows huge. I forgot the name of it, but it is great! And, a relatively new musical, that no one has heard of, that has become one of my favorites is "Newsies" A Disney Production that is superb! There are so many more that this senile old coot can't think of the titles. If I were home, I would just read the titles off my shelf of them. Encourage her. Stay with her, as you may realize, the more you listen to them, that you enjoy them too. A funny story about my opera listening: I was riding my Honda Goldwing, with my full leathers on, and a cd in its player. I pulled up to a traffic light and sat there waiting. A car pulled up next to me, and then started laughing their asses off. They holler across to me "You cannot imagine the shock of seeing a guy, on a big bike, with full leather, listening to opera." They loved it. Not the stereotypical biker, I guess. Chuck |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 7th, 2005, 5:49am on 10/07/05 at 05:10:00, ClusterChuck wrote:
LOL CHUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's WOOBIE... Thanks for all the suggestions - gonna get her a bunch of movies this weekend. And I'm looking into taking her to a live MUSICAL somewhere in Chicago this winter. Not an opera! We'll start slow here.... Momma's not ready yet. LOL OK - so what does the Blue Man Group do. I have heard of them - but I thought it was an adult show.? Thanks for all of your input! tina |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by ClusterChuck on Oct 7th, 2005, 6:06am on 10/07/05 at 05:10:00, ClusterChuck wrote:
on 10/07/05 at 05:49:42, Woobie wrote:
So shoot me! I am OLD and SENILE! Haha! I can't believe I did that! Wait a minute, YES I CAN believe it!! The senile old queen ... Chuck |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 7th, 2005, 6:08am well dammit chuck - when you get older you have to start paying more attention to detail - geesh and - btw - it's OK. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Jeepgun on Oct 7th, 2005, 6:33am Chuck, the one you're thinking of is, "Little Shop Of Horrors." "FEED ME, Seymour!! FEEEED MEEEEEE!!!!!" ;;D |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by AussieBrian on Oct 7th, 2005, 6:55am A growing child can receive no greater gift than the joy of music - but to overdose the little darlin' would be a travesty. Offer her all the options she wants and allow her to find her own feet. She enjoyed Madame Butterfly and that's beaut, but if she sees La Boheme and hates it that's just as good - she's making her own decisions about what suits her own tastes. Given her age, this would be a great time for her to peek into the world of ballet, live theatre, cabaret, music hall. See how she reacts to Charlie Chaplin and those other masters of the silent screen. Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire might be a little passe' to us growed-ups now, but they could sing, dance and act. When's the last time you saw 'Show Boat'? Think about it from a creative 11 year-old's point of view and it may well be worth a re-visit. Equally, one man did so much to introduce young people to old music, and may he rest in peace for this alone - Walt Disney's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". I'm also guessing that at the same time as finding her joy in music she's taking more interest in her mathematics. They're one and same, Woobie. Just one and same. Offer her all the options, let her find her own feet, and keep it live! |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by Woobie on Oct 7th, 2005, 5:43pm You're absolutely right Brian~ I have never seen showboat......... ????? I'll have to put that on the list. I'm letting her read the descriptions before we rent..... And she asked me about the Nutcracker....... might take her to that this year......... The Sorcerer's Apprentice... ok - i have to admit - I've only seen it with Mickey Mouse..........what other kind is there?? (Dont laugh at me! LOL) Tina who's getting some culture - like it or not. |
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Title: Re: Operas ............. Post by AussieBrian on Oct 7th, 2005, 7:08pm on 10/07/05 at 17:43:43, Woobie wrote:
No one's laughing, Woobs. That's the one I mean. The original, in fact, was nowhere near so good. Also, next time she has friends visiting, let them all eat popcorn and watch The King and I. They just don't make them like that anymore. |
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