5 Badass Opera Songs That Will Make You a Believer

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Looking for some new music to add to your playlist? Check out these five powerful opera songs that will make you a believer in the genre!

Introduction

Opera is one of the oldest and most revered forms of art in Western culture. For centuries, it has been the domain of the aristocratic and the privileged. But in recent years, opera has made a comeback among young people and music lovers of all backgrounds.

There are many different types of opera, but all of them share one common element: the power of the human voice. Whether it’s the soaring highs of a soprano or the rich tones of a baritone, opera Singing can be an emotionally moving experience.

If you’re new to opera, start with these five badass songs. They will make you a believer.

“Nessun Dorma” by Giacomo Puccini

“Nessun dorma” (“None shall sleep”) is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot and one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera. It is sung by Calaf, il principe ignoto (the unknown prince), who falls in love at first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot. But Calaf is one of three suitors who must answer her three riddles; if he fails, he will be beheaded.

In this aria, Calaf expresses his defiance of Turandot’s threat and his certainty that he will solve her riddles, win her love, and make her his bride before dawn (“dimmi il nome tuo…Tu quella che io ammiro”). Nessun dorma quickly became one of the most popular operatic tenor arias, both in the opera house and on record.

“Casta Diva” by Vincenzo Bellini

“Casta Diva” is an aria from the opera Norma, composed by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani. The work premiered on December 26, 1831, at La Scala in Milan.

The aria is sung by the title character, Norma, an Druid high priestess who has broken her vow of chastity with the Roman proconsul Pollione and is struggling with the decision whether to take her own life or betray her people by sacrificing them to save her own skin.

“Casta Diva” is a beautiful and moving expression of Norma’s conflict, sung with great passion and emotion. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful and challenging arias in all of opera, and it has been performed by some of the greatest sopranos in history.

“La Donna è Mobile” by Giuseppe Verdi

“La Donna è Mobile” is one of the most famous arias in all of opera. It’s from Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” and it’s sung by the Duke of Mantua, a total ladies’ man who loves nothing more than cuckolding Rigoletto, the court jester.

The Duke is totally unrepentant about his philandering ways, and in this aria, he sings about how fickle women are. He brags that he can have any woman he wants, and that they’re all equally fickle.

The aria is full of verve and swagger, and it’s sure to get your blood pumping.

“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” by Georges Bizet

This song is from the opera Carmen, and is one of the most popular arias of all time. It’s sung by the character Carmen, and is about how love cannot be tamed. The lyrics and music are both beautiful and passionate, making it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to get into opera.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these five badass opera songs are only a snapshot of the vast and varied repertoire that opera has to offer. If you’re not an opera fan yet, we hope this list has inspired you to give it a try. From heart-wrenching ballads to soaring battle anthems, opera has something for everyone. And who knows? After listening to a few of these songs, you might just find yourself a convert.

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