BBC Music Magazine

[starryday]

Dear Forum members,

What do you think are ways that ordinary people could be introduced to opera?

I share with you this beautiful video where opera takes people by surprise at a Spanish market http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3sLHPjkpNE

In my opinion, this was a very creative initiative, offering people a moment of high-quality music at an ordinary place they usually visit rather than at an opera house. Many of these people look gladly surprised.

The banner at the end says: "Do you see? You like the opera!"

[fen bass]

Yes, lovely occasion, people enjoyed it.

But just because they enjoy the well known bits in a market, doesn't mean that they're going to tropt along to the local opera house.

Also one chorus does not equal an opera, same as "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" does not equal Julius Caesar.

[massenetman]

FB
Beware the Ides of March

[sachs]

Best thing one can do to introduce somebody to opera, not making of him (her) an hysteric, is to underline that opera is, essentially, music and not just stupid stories or sport competition for singers as to find out who is able to yell higher. Opera lovers in the true sense of the word are suposed to be classical music lovers, not sentimental people looking for surface emotions. People capable of understanding works as Falstaff as Il Trovatore in the same state of mind, not worrying because Falstaff doesn't have arias or "tremendous" scenes. In my long life I have met bright professionals who believe themselves as schollars in opera, confessing in TV that they cannot enjoy Falstaff or Elektra. I started attending Butterfly, at 8 with my mother. Currently I enjoy all class of classical music for I got inmediately addressed by her to pay attention to music together with voices and stupid story. Cheers.