Most Emotional Opera Melodies


Every time I watch Pretty Woman, and I can't seem to resist it, I wait for the scene at the opera. That little melody is so powerful. I just know I'm missing some very emotional music because I'm an opera dummy.
240zracer
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
I need to get some pictures of my system and put them on here. I wish I hadn't sold my Marantz stuff years ago. I agree about the Italian.....it doesn't matter what the language, if the voice is exceptional and the music is powerful, who cares what the language (well, maybe my brother, the country boy :)