The Top 50 Opera Songs of All Time

A list of the top 50 opera songs of all time, as chosen by the editors of Opera Magazine.

Introduction

Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role and the parts are taken by singers. Such a “work” (the literal translation of “opera”) is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist and incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, etc. The performance is typically given in an opera house.

Opera originated in Italy in the 16th century and quickly spread through the rest of Europe: by 1610 it had reached France; by 1650 Spain and Portugal; by 1700 Germany, Denmark, Poland, Russia, Bohemia, Hungary and England. It subsequently enjoyed enormous popularity in the second half of the 18th century and throughout most of the 19th century. The art form hit something of a snag with the advent of recorded sound in 1877 but rebounded brilliantly under modernism’s spell in the early years of the 20th century with such works as Alban Berg’s Wozzeck (1925) and Richard Strauss’ Salome (1905)

The list that follows does not attempt to rank these pieces in any objective way but rather allows readers to explore 50 operatic masterpieces that span more than four centuries of music history.

The Top 50 Opera Songs of All Time

Opera is a drama set to music, usually performed in an opera house with the accompaniment of an orchestra. It is one of the oldest of all musical genres, with its origins dating back to the late 16th century. While opera has been around for centuries, it has only recently gained mainstream popularity. In the past few years, opera has seen a resurgence in popularity, with more and more people attending operas and listening to opera music.

“Nessun dorma” from Turandot by Giacomo Puccini

This aria is sung by the tenor Calaf, King of Tartars, who has fallen in love with the beautiful Chinese Princess Turandot and killed her father’s murderer in a duel. He hopes to marry her, but she has decreed that anyone hoping to wed her must first answer three riddles. If they get any wrong, they will be beheaded. If they succeed, they can have her hand in marriage. In this aria, Calaf sings of his hope that Turandot will fall in love with him and he looks forward to their future together.

“Casta diva” from Norma by Vincenzo Bellini

“Casta diva” is an aria from the opera Norma by Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini. It was composed in 1831 and is one of the most famous and widely performed opera arias of all time. The aria is sung by the title character, Norma, an individual caught between her love for the Roman soldier Pollione and her duty to her people, the Druids.

The aria’s exact place in the opera’s plot is not essential to its standalone popularity – “Casta diva” can be enjoyed as a concert piece or recording without any knowledge of the story. The aria’s lyrics, which are in Italian, are extraordinarily beautiful, and the music is both moving and technically challenging. “Casta diva” has been performed by some of the world’s most famous opera singers, including Maria Callas, Renee Fleming, and Joan Sutherland.

“La donna è mobile” from Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi

Considered one of the most famous tenor arias of all time, “La donna è mobile” is sung by the Duke of Mantua in Act III of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto. The aria is known for its catchy tune and its difficult, virtuosic vocal runs.

“Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi

“Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” (“Let’s drink from the joyful cups”) is a duet for tenor and soprano in Act 1, Scene 7 of Verdi’s La traviata, sung by Violetta Valéry and Alfredo Germont as they toast each other with wine.

This “Brindisi” is one of the most popular opera songs of all time and has been adapted by many artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Lanza, and even Elvis Presley. The lyrics are written in the Tuscan dialect of Italian and are full of lustful abandon, making them perfectly suited for a drinking song.

The original lyrics to “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” were written by Francesco Maria Piave based on a poem by Alfred de Musset. The song was first performed at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice on March 6, 1853.

“Vissi d’arte” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

One of opera’s most popular arias, “Vissi d’arte” is sung by the character Tosca in act two of Giacomo Puccini’s eponymous work. The aria is often referred to as “Tosca’s Smile” because of the serenity and transcendence Tosca experiences while singing it. In the aria, Tosca reflects on her life and how she has always put her art above everything else, even to her own detriment. While “Vissi d’arte” is sung by a character who is facing execution, it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful and beloved pieces in all of opera.

“Sempre libera” from La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi

“Sempre libera” from La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi is one of the most popular opera songs of all time. The aria is sung by the character Violetta in act one, scene six, and is a moment of both joy and sadness for the character. In the aria, Violetta sings of her love for freedom and how she will never be chained down by anyone or anything. The song is both beautiful and haunting, and has been covered by many different artists over the years.

“E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

E lucevan le stelle” (“The stars were twinkling”) is a tenor aria from the third act of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Tosca. It is sung by the character Cavaradossi, shortly before his execution.

The aria is one of Puccini’s best-known, and has been described as “the most perfect expression of lyrical passion in all of opera”. Biographer Mary Jane Phillips-Matz notes that the aria “achieves extraordinary expressive power through its simplicity”. Musicologist Hugh Macdonald writes that it is “almost endlessly moving”, and critic Michael Tanner calls it “the loveliest tenor aria ever written”.

The aria was first performed at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on January 14, 1900, by the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. Since then, it has been sung by many of the world’s most famous tenors, including Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, and José Carreras.

“Quando men vo” from La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini

One of the most beautiful arias of all time, “Quando men vo” is sung by the character Mimì in Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème. The aria is a gentle and lyrical expression of sadness and regret, as Mimì reflects on the fleeting nature of happiness and love. The aria has been popularized by many great operatic singers, including Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, and Kiri Te Kanawa.

“Che gelida manina” from La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini

“Che gelida manina” (“Your tiny hand is frozen”) is a famous aria from the opera La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini. The aria is sung by the character Rodolfo in the first act, when he meets the seamstress Mimì. It is one of Puccini’s best-known operatic arias and is considered one of the most beautiful opera songs ever written.

“Recondita armonia” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

1. “Recondita armonia” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
2. “Nessun dorma” from Turandot by Giacomo Puccini
3. “La donna è mobile” from Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
4. “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi
5. “Una furtiva lagrima” from L’elisir d’amore by Gaetano Donizetti
6. “Che gelida manina” from La bohème by Giacomo Puccini
7. “Di quella pira” from Il trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi
8. “Il lacerato spirito” from Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi
9. “E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
10. “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini
11. “A vos jeux, mes amis!” from Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns
12. “Je veux vivre” from Romeo et Juliette by Charles Gounod
13.”Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre…” (Toreador Song)from Carmenby Georges Bizet
14.”Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen…” (Queen of the Night’s Aria)from The Magic Flutaby Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
15.”In diesen heiligen Hallen…” (Maria’s Cavatina)from The Sound of Musicby Richard Rodgers
16.”Soave sia il vento…” (Mi chiamano Mimi’s Aria)from La Bohèmaby Giacomo Puccini
17.”Dove sono i bei momenti…” (Countess Almaviva’s Cavatina)from The Marriage of Figaroby Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
18.”Depuis le jour…” (Louise’s Scene and Aria)from Louiseby Gustave Charpentier
19.”O mio Fernando…” (Donna Elvira’s Aria)from Don Carlosby Giuseppe Verdi
20.”Ebben? Ne andrò lontana!” (La Wally’s Aria)from La Wallyby Alfredo Catalani
21.”Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore…” (Tosca’s aria)from Toscarichard Strauss 22.”In quelle trine morbide…” (Manon Lescaut’s an aria)from Manon Lescautby Pietro Mascagni 23.”Mein herr marquis…” (Adele’s Laughing Song)from Die Fledermausby Johann Strauss II 24.Va, laisse couler mes yeux…(Ophélie’s Mad SceneAct IVof Hamletby Ambroise Thomas 25.”I could have danced all night”…(Eliza Doolittle sings about her lovefor Henry Higgins after the ballin Act IIof My Fair Ladyby Frederick Loewe 26.”Summertime”…(Porgy and Bess Act IScene 2 clara sings as she preparesbreakfast in her homein Catfish Rowof George Gershwin 27….

Conclusion

Opera is one of the most beautiful and emotional forms of art. The songs in this genre are truly timeless and will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. We hope you have enjoyed our list of the top 50 opera songs of all time.