trying to get the nessun dorma

[burntcopper]

Can someone explain the appeal of opera to me? The only times I seem to like it are when it's out of context and put in as an effect in another piece of music, like another instrument (seems to work best on soundtracks or dance music, which is another genre where the words don't often matter, the effect does). I can appreciate it the sheer technical effort and sound you can get out of it, but do *not* get it as a storytelling device. I can't imagine sitting through a musical where I'm supposed to be following a story and being provided with a translation or subtitles. Subtitles in film are one thing, but constantly having to glance down at a program and not being able to get all the vocal tricks and wordplay (let alone the fact that when I've heard amazing opera singers sing in english, their diction is kinda crap, so you don't get all the words anyway) - just no. Seriously. Does it work like mime/dance with a very specific soundtrack? (except the actors have to be static or moving slowly to produce that vocal power - no high-kicking dance sequences whilst belting out the main number here)

Comments

[gmh.livejournal.com]

Does it work like mime/dance with a very specific soundtrack?

My initial thoughts about ballet were much the same. I think it takes a) a certain amount of learning and b) an inclination towards it, to understand the appeal of the artform.

Some people inherently find themselves drawn to particular forms of emotional expression; the visual to art fans, the tonal to music fans; for the rest of us, the taste can be developed, but it's not something that clicks instantly.

I've never been a great opera fan, but Channel Four did a televised Ring Cycle in the early 90s and I watched and enjoyed the whole thing.

I think ballet is essentially kinetic/visual in its appeal; whereas opera is tonal/visual - not to say that there isn't music in ballet, or visual composition in opera, but you get the point; the music in ballet is the backdrop to the dancers' expression, which is (or should be!) the focus for your attention.