Interesting thing I've noticed while listening to Opera
The_Muted_Grimaud Send a noteboard - 31/01/2010 07:37:02 PM
... and this might not be the case for you, you might just hate the singing style, or find the music completely repulsive ... but I've noticed in my listening days that classical music in general is most 'shrieky' and 'grating' when listened to through headphones or in a place with a higher level of background noise.
I also find Opera mostly unenjoyable in 'audio only' format. This is usually because I don't pay close enough attention and lose track of the story and then I don't know what I'm listening too.
I guess what I'm saying is the best way to judge opera is to see it live or at least in some decent visual format (DVD for instance). I suppose in Kansas, actually going would be hard, but the MET opera does do 'Live in HD' shows at theatre around the country (I think tickets are 15$).
The reason I say it's not as 'shrieky' when watching it live is that classical music really is quite soft during live performance (compared to 'pop' music). The reason everyone sits quietly and turns their cell phone off is because even during a mezzo-forte (medium loud) sections, the cell phone ringer will be easily heard across the hall, (not to mention people coughing ... one of the few caveats of live classical music for me). Subsequently concert halls are extremely quiet and make great listening atmospheres for classical music.
The home however, there tends to be background noises and you have to turn the audio up to hear the soft parts and then once it breaks a certain decibel level it starts to grate, at least with piccolos and sopranos, not to mention the audio quality coming from the speakers may distort it some (my car's speakers have weird affects on piccolo sound, I hate listening to anything with a piccolo in my car).
Anyway, just saying
I also find Opera mostly unenjoyable in 'audio only' format. This is usually because I don't pay close enough attention and lose track of the story and then I don't know what I'm listening too.
I guess what I'm saying is the best way to judge opera is to see it live or at least in some decent visual format (DVD for instance). I suppose in Kansas, actually going would be hard, but the MET opera does do 'Live in HD' shows at theatre around the country (I think tickets are 15$).
The reason I say it's not as 'shrieky' when watching it live is that classical music really is quite soft during live performance (compared to 'pop' music). The reason everyone sits quietly and turns their cell phone off is because even during a mezzo-forte (medium loud) sections, the cell phone ringer will be easily heard across the hall, (not to mention people coughing ... one of the few caveats of live classical music for me). Subsequently concert halls are extremely quiet and make great listening atmospheres for classical music.
The home however, there tends to be background noises and you have to turn the audio up to hear the soft parts and then once it breaks a certain decibel level it starts to grate, at least with piccolos and sopranos, not to mention the audio quality coming from the speakers may distort it some (my car's speakers have weird affects on piccolo sound, I hate listening to anything with a piccolo in my car).
Anyway, just saying
Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 06:24:44 AM
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I suppose I will be narcissistic and respond to my own survey.
31/01/2010 06:29:44 AM
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Heh. I figured "Little People" would get your tears flowing.
31/01/2010 06:43:06 AM
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Yes, but for entirely different reasons. I confess to heartless relief when the child died. *NM*
31/01/2010 06:49:31 AM
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Hehe, I was in Les Mis. I played that kid.
31/01/2010 06:54:30 PM
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I hate when I switch quoting styles that it deletes my already-typed title.
31/01/2010 06:39:37 AM
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Probably my most frequent thought while on this site.
31/01/2010 06:47:05 AM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 01:17:20 PM
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Your girlfriend? *NM*
31/01/2010 07:45:18 PM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 01:51:26 PM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 04:20:15 PM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 07:47:48 PM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 05:08:11 PM
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I haven't watched many, but I like them
31/01/2010 06:37:17 PM
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Interesting thing I've noticed while listening to Opera
31/01/2010 07:37:02 PM
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Piccolos are nasty. End of story. Their only function is that of ornamentation. *NM*
31/01/2010 10:34:33 PM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 08:21:12 PM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
31/01/2010 08:25:21 PM
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Not a big fan
31/01/2010 10:04:41 PM
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How is it that you are picky about musicals?!
31/01/2010 10:13:56 PM
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Because of the singing, I guess?
31/01/2010 10:26:10 PM
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XD
31/01/2010 10:51:30 PM
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see, my favorite Phantom is actually the movie (with Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler)
31/01/2010 10:57:40 PM
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Ugh. I heard about three clips from the movie and I will definitely not see it.
01/02/2010 01:25:36 AM
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Right. Used to be far more musical-obsessed than currently, but here goes.
01/02/2010 01:35:55 AM
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No fair! Don't make me choose
01/02/2010 03:05:35 PM
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Re: Short survey. On musicals. And what the hell, why not opera too.
01/02/2010 05:00:59 PM
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Most musicals are trite, saccharine drivel for uncultured tourists from the Midwest and South.
02/02/2010 05:38:41 PM
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