This is just my selection of the top ten “must-know” opera songs for newcomers to the genre (or lovers of opera who want to listen to a couple of classics).
I’ve tried to be fair and spread the list across Italian, French and German pieces. You will also find arias (solo acts), duets (two person acts) and chorus numbers (featuring the full cast), although you will probably start to see a pattern with certain singers * cough * Pavarotti * cough* .
10. Una Furtiva Lagrima – from l’Elisir D’Amore – featuring Luciano Pavarotti (0.00)
9. Vide Cor Meum – from Hannibal – featuring Danielle Di Niese & Bruno Lazzaretti (4.48)
8. Un Bel Di Vedremo – from Madame Butterfly – featuring Maria Callas (8.40)
7. Duo des Fleurs (Flower Duet) – from Lakmé – featuring Sabine Devieilhe & Marianne Crebassa (13.20)
6. Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici – from La Traviata – featuring Juan Diego Flórez & Diana Damrau (17.52)
5. La Donna è Mobile – from Rigoletto – featuring Luciano Pavarotti (21.01)
4. Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Queen of the Night Aria) – from Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) – featuring Diana Damrau (23.48)
3. Habanera – from Carmen – featuring Anna Caterina Antonacci (26.50)
2. Nessun Dorma – from Turandot – featuring Luciano Pavarotti (28.59)
1. O Mio Babbino Caro – from Gianni Schicchi – featuring Maria Callas (32.05)
To my fellow opera fans, please let me know if you think I’ve missed one (leave it in the comments below).
To my newcomers, welcome to the beautiful world of opera.
Which was your favourite?