Opera can seem intimidating, especially for modern music lovers who may be more accustomed to streaming playlists of pop, rock, hip-hop, or electronic genres. However, opera is a powerful and emotional art form with much to offer, even to those more comfortable with today’s musical landscape. If you’re a modern music fan interested in expanding your horizons, here’s how to start appreciating opera.
1. Understand the History and Cultural Significance
Opera has existed for over 400 years and has played a considerable role in shaping Western music. It combines music, drama, and visual spectacle, influencing many forms of entertainment we enjoy today, from film scores to stage musicals. By understanding its rich history and cultural context, you can begin to appreciate opera’s importance and legacy.
Explore how opera composers like Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner pushed musical boundaries. Their innovations in harmony, orchestration, and storytelling have influenced the music we listen to today. Whether it’s the emotional depth in pop ballads or the grandeur of cinematic soundtracks, modern music often draws from the operatic tradition.
2. Find an Accessible Opera
Just as every music genre has its entry points, opera has works more accessible to newcomers. Start with well-known operas that have a simple and emotionally compelling plot. Some of the best choices include La Bohème by Puccini, Carmen by Bizet, and The Magic Flute by Mozart. These operas have memorable melodies, dramatic narratives, and a mix of musical elements that appeal to a broad audience.
You don’t have to go to an opera house to experience these works. Many companies offer live-streaming or recorded performances online, often with subtitles, making it easier to follow the story. Watching a filmed performance also allows you to pause or replay sections to deepen your understanding of the music and story.
3. Focus on the Music
If you’re a fan of modern music, you may be used to focusing on the beat or production. Opera is different; its magic lies in the voice. Pay attention to how the music conveys emotion. In opera, the human voice is treated like an instrument, capable of expressing subtle shifts in mood or dramatic turns in the story. You’ll hear various vocal types, from the powerful soprano to the rich baritone.
Listen for recurring musical themes, known as leitmotifs, often used to represent characters or ideas. These musical cues work similarly to recurring motifs in movie soundtracks, allowing the audience to connect with the story more deeply.
4. Embrace the Drama
At its core, opera is about emotion. The drama is more significant than life, and the characters often experience extreme situations—betrayal, love, jealousy, and tragedy. Embrace this emotional intensity, even if it feels different from the subtlety you might be used to in modern music. Opera allows you to experience raw, unfiltered emotions in an immersive and cathartic way.
5. Draw Parallels with Modern Music
If you’re still unsure how to connect with opera, consider it a form of musical storytelling, much like the concept albums in rock, hip-hop narratives, or the dramatic intensity of pop ballads. Artists like Freddie Mercury and Lady Gaga have drawn inspiration from opera, and their performances share the same theatricality and grandeur that operatic performances showcase. Even rap and hip-hop’s focus on wordplay and rhythm can be linked to opera’s emphasis on lyrical delivery and storytelling.
6. Give It Time
Like any new genre of music, opera may take some time to appreciate fully. The complexity of the music, the unfamiliar language, and the different vocal styles can be overwhelming at first. Start with short excerpts, familiarize yourself with the stories, and build your appreciation over time.
In conclusion, opera offers modern music lovers a rich and rewarding experience. With its powerful combination of music, drama, and storytelling, opera can be appreciated by anyone willing to open their ears and minds to something new. Whether you start by streaming a famous aria or attending a live performance, you’ll find that opera’s emotional depth and musical complexity have a timeless appeal that resonates even today.