Which opera should you go to, if you have never been to the opera before? Below is a list of what I consider ten must-see operas for the beginner. With hundreds of possibilities for the list, trying to narrow it to 10 is difficult, but the operas on this list are also often performed in opera houses around the world, and are some of the most beloved operas in the repertoire. There is a little something for everyone on this list. The operas on this list range from comedy, like Barber of Seville, to tragedy, like Madama Butterfly or La bohéme. What they all have in common though are beautiful music and interesting as well as exciting plots. Enjoy!
- The Barber of Seville (Il barbiere di Siviglia) - Rossini
- The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) – Mozart
- Tosca – Puccini
- The Marriage of Figaro (le nozze di Figaro) - Mozart
- La bohéme - Puccini
- Aïda – Verdi
- La traviata - Verdi
- Don Giovanni – Mozart
- Carmen – Bizet
- Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly) - Puccini
Once you have picked your opera, visit Opera Etiquette – 101, a guide for opera first-timers.
Please visit the article archives for more interesting articles about opera. Do you have any questions that you want answered? Feel free to contact Bryce by email.
Bryce Westervelt - American tenor, Bryce Westervelt, is sought after as a soloist with opera companies, orchestras and choral groups across the United ...
