The Best Opera Music Videos
Contents
Check out our top 10 list of the best opera music videos on YouTube. From classic arias to modern operas, there’s something for everyone.
Introduction
In a world of non-stop technological innovation, it’s easy to forget that sometimes the simplest things can be the most beautiful. Case in point: opera. The art form has been around for centuries, yet its appeal remains as strong as ever.
Sure, attending an opera in person can be a bit of a pricey endeavor. But thanks to the magic of YouTube, you can enjoy some of the greatest operatic performances from the comfort of your own home—and for free!
From Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” there are plenty of great operatic works to choose from. But which ones are the best?
To help you decide, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best opera music videos on YouTube. So whether you’re a diehard opera fan or just getting started, there’s something here for everyone.
The Best Opera Music Videos
“Nessun Dorma” by Luciano Pavarotti
One of the most popular opera arias of all time, “Nessun Dorma” was written by Giacomo Puccini for his opera Turandot and first performed in 1926. The aria is sung by the character Calaf, who has fallen in love with the cold Princess Turandot and is challenging her suitors to solve three riddles. If they fail, they will be beheaded. Calaf correctly solves the riddles, but Turandot still refuses to marry him unless he can tell her his name. Calaf agrees, but when she orders his execution at dawn he sings “Nessun Dorma” (“None shall sleep”) in defiance. This impassioned aria has been performed by many of the greatest opera singers in history, including Luciano Pavarotti, who recorded it for both his 1987 album Pavarotti & Friends 2: Night of the Proms and for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
“La Donna è Mobile” by Ruggero Raimondi
This aria from Verdi’s Rigoletto is sung by the Duke of Mantua, a womanizing aristocrat who is quite fickle in his affections. The aria is light and playful, and Raimondi’s performance is full of charm.
“Sempre Libera” by Maria Callas
One of the most popular arias of all time, “Sempre Libera” was composed by Giuseppe Verdi for his opera “La Traviata.” The aria is sung by the character Violetta, who is contemplating her life as a courtesan and wondering if she will ever be able to lead a life of love and fidelity. Callas’s performance of the aria is hailed as one of the most stirrings in all of opera.
“E lucevan le stelle” by Jose Carreras
This aria from Puccini’s opera Tosca is sung by the character Cavaradossi, who is about to be executed. He reflects on his love for the opera singer Tosca, with whom he has recently been reunited. The aria is one of the most popular in all of opera, and has been recorded by many famous tenors.
In this video, legendary tenor Jose Carreras gives a stirring performance of “E lucevan le stelle” at an outdoor concert in Germany. The video features beautiful shots of the outdoor setting and Carreras’s emotive singing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great opera music videos out there. However, the three that we believe stand out the most are:
· “Nessun dorma” by Luciano Pavarotti
· “O mio babbino caro” by Kristin Chenoweth
· “The Barber of Seville” by Plácido Domingo
