Most Emotional Opera Melodies

There's a superb aria in Gianni Scicchi (sp?). In fact it's the only memorable thing about the opera but it is wonderful.
Sorry I can't remember the name of it but perhaps someone will post.
Also a couple of great arias in Tosca, one being E lucevan de Stelle (sp?).
Obviously, spelling Italian is not my forté.

Very nice system Shadorne. I was nosey, sorry. This is going pretty good so far. I'm making a list and going to visit Barnes and Noble. I really like their system where you can preview anything in the store. Yes, I am an opera newby, but I actually do have some....a bunch of LPs I got from a book sale years ago. Most are mono, I think, and that is why I never got too interested in them. Maybe some of this stuff only came in mono??

The aria from Gianni Schicchi (by Puccini) is "O mio babbino caro." Renee Fleming's version will wrench your heart.

Regards, Rich

Thanks Rich. I am a little familiar with Renee Fleming and I'm sure that voice can get it done.

240 ...

Don't be so rough on yourself. Opera is quite a topic to learn.

What I found useful in learning up on opera and in a way learning what I like, was to purchase the various Opera Highlights and Favorite Arias collections that so many labels offer. By doing this, I learned that it wasn't important that I did not understand the words ... it's about melody and emotion and passion. In fact, I find opera sung in english distracting. I prefer songs sung in italian and french ... I am still just so-so about operas sung in german.

With that said, some CD's to check out are (and there are others):

Placido Domingo "Verdi ... Arias and Duets" (EMI Greatest Artists series)
"O Mio Babbino Caro ... Famous Soprano Arias from Italian Opera" (Naxos)
"Operas Greatest Duets" (RCA Red Seal)
Ana Maria Martinez "Soprano Songs and Arias" (Naxos)
Giuseppe DiStefano "Operatic Recital" (Decca)

Regards, Rich