Given the choice, many people would probably opt for a root canal rather than go to an opera. They imagine being seated in the middle of a row for hours on end while huge women parade around the stage dressed in Wagerian battle dress singing their lungs out in some exaggerated vibrato style. And years ago that may have been the case. But times they are a changin'.
At the turn of the century and in the immediately ensuing decades Richard Wagner (RICKard VAUGner), for example, was wildly popular for his Germanic operas featuring angelic warrior heroines descending from heaven to retrieve fallen soldiers. And while the orchestral melodies were some of the most beautiful and powerful ever written, the singing seemed somewhat discordant. And for decades this was the “face” of opera to the masses. Not only that but operas were always sung in a foreign language so the average English-speaking person had no idea what was going on. It is no wonder that opera appealed to a comparatively few well heeled snobs. But since the 1960s there have some slow, user-friendly changes that have started to attract a larger following. Not that opera’s popularity will ever rival that of hip-hop.
Star Power
Luciano Pavarotti is one reason why opera is a little more mainstream. Not only was he blessed with one of the best tenor voices ever but his appearances in concerts outside the confines of the operatic stage drew wide interest. People who didn’t know a Donizetti from a Rossini flocked to his sold-out concerts to hear his powerful voice soar like an eagle. Then a 1990 PBS special, “The Three Tenors,” which featured Pavarotti and two other highly regarded tenors, propelled this musical interest to new heights and the resulting CDs and videos became million sellers. Once again people experienced this beautiful music outside the regular operatic stage.
Subtitles & Versace
Today it is not unusual for whole families to attend an opera although it should be mentioned that the children in tow are usually already studying some type of classical music or dance. Another “mainstream” change is having the actual operatic story told with English subtitles displayed above the stage.
Also, some operas today have a modern setting. In fact one such performance of a 19th century opera at the Music Center in Los Angeles had all the men dressed in Versace suits and the women in cocktail dresses. Speaking of the performers – some will ask are they still all fat? To be truthful, many still are rather heavy set. It seems the timbre of their powerful voices seems somehow to be a factor of the person’s size. And truth be known they love fine Italian food. So, when watching a performance for example of what is supposed to be two lithe young star-crossed lovers you have to watch the scene with a little imagination. However, some younger operatic performers are actually in shape. I doubt however, that we’ll ever see a “South Beach Diet for Opera Stars.”