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Post  operaspark Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:52 pm

Hi Everyone,

My name's Jon...but most people call me sparky.

Ever since i saw my first opera when i was 16 years old in Italy i've completely fallen in love with it, and now opera forms a very important part of my life. I listen to it practically every day and i always love going to the Royal Opera House (when i can get there!).

In particular i like bel canto operas: works by Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini. 'L'elisir D'amore' is my absolute favourite opera and i've been lucky enough to see it twice already (with a trip planned to see Diana Damrau at the ROH in 2009 with the amazing Simone Aliamo too!).

My interest isn't just restricted to this period though, as i like operas in all languages and periods. For example i saw my first English opera last year 'Albert Herring' with Glyndebourne. Puccini has to be one of my most admired composers, i have a particular love for 'La Rondine' and 'La Fanciulla del West' because of their beautiful melodies (which often get stuck in my head!). I haven't as yet experienced all his operas, but i hope to at some point. I can't rule out Verdi either as 'La Traviata' was the first opera i ever saw and it converted me to opera!

I don't just have interests in opera though as i enjoy going to see plays and musicals too. I'm an amateur reviewer and add my own reviews for performances i've seen onto my myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/spark_inside_of_me). I've also been lucky enough to meet many actors and singers at stage doors in the past few years which is something i really enjoy too.

I haven't managed to find a forum on the ROH before, so i hope this forum will be really interesting and i look forward to discussing topics with people here who have a similar interest to me (people i know get bored of me talking about opera!). I have of course read many reviews on this site and i find them very interesting, even if i don't always agree with them!

I think i've said enough now, but i hope thats enough for you to get to know me better!


Sparky


Last edited by operaspark on Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:15 pm; edited 2 times in total

operaspark

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Post  Dominic McHugh Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:20 pm

Hello Operaspark! It's great to hear from you.

Honestly, feel free to post any links you like (as long as they're not illegal or offensive!!).

I must say, you have great taste in liking musicals and bel canto opera ;-)

Thanks!
Dom

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Post  operaspark Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:16 pm

Hi Dom...thanks for the welcome Very Happy

I've edited my first post and added the link to my myspace page if anyone is interested.

Dominic McHugh wrote:
I must say, you have great taste in liking musicals and bel canto opera ;-)

Laughing I'd pick bel canto opera over musicals any day!!!

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Post  Dominic McHugh Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:55 pm

Is there any need to choose between the two?

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Post  operaspark Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:11 pm

Dominic McHugh wrote:Is there any need to choose between the two?

Laughing Laughing Laughing

Maybe not for you!

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Post  Dominic McHugh Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:44 am

No indeed - I think it's quite possible to like lots of things equally.

'I haven't managed to find a forum on the ROH before, so i hope this forum will be really interesting and i look forward to discussing topics with people here who have a similar interest to me...'

I hope so too - but it needs regular contributions from the readers as well as from us! I'm starting to wonder if nobody's actually bothered about opera any more?

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Post  David Cox Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:08 am

operaspark wrote:

In particular i like bel canto operas: works by Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini. 'L'elisir D'amore' is my absolute favourite opera and i've been lucky enough to see it twice already (with a trip planned to see Diana Damrau at the ROH in 2009 with the amazing Simone Aliamo too!).

L'elisir D'amore is one of my favourites too, although I have only seen it one performed in English in a wartime setting.
I agree about Simone Aliamo was a great Leporello on the Marriner Don Giovanni. I also saw him in La Cenerentola at the ROH in 1994.
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Post  operaspark Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:15 am

David Cox wrote:
operaspark wrote:

In particular i like bel canto operas: works by Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini. 'L'elisir D'amore' is my absolute favourite opera and i've been lucky enough to see it twice already (with a trip planned to see Diana Damrau at the ROH in 2009 with the amazing Simone Aliamo too!).

L'elisir D'amore is one of my favourites too, although I have only seen it one performed in English in a wartime setting.
I agree about Simone Aliamo was a great Leporello on the Marriner Don Giovanni. I also saw him in La Cenerentola at the ROH in 1994.

Oh good...we can gang up on Dom who doesn't seem to like bel canto operas much! Razz

I've never seen Simon live, but i've got a great DVD of his Dulcamara from the 1996 (i think) production of L'elisir D'amore with Gheorghiu and Alagna.

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Post  operaspark Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:16 am

Dominic McHugh wrote:
I hope so too - but it needs regular contributions from the readers as well as from us! I'm starting to wonder if nobody's actually bothered about opera any more?

Wel...if you're talking in general, i do think that it is a dying artform...but it won't ever stop me loving it.

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Post  Dominic McHugh Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:55 pm

Erm, when did you decide I don't like bel canto opera? I love it!

The only thing is, I like it equally with musicals. Hence I'm doing my PhD on My Fair Lady, having done my Master's thesis on Don Carlos and my BMus thesis on Stiffelio.

Alaimo is indeed an excellent buffo singer. I'll be intrigued to see who they get to replace Richard Hickox in that production now.

Why do you think opera is a dying artform? Perhaps you could start a new thread on the topic in the opera section?

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Post  operaspark Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:21 pm

Dominic McHugh wrote:Erm, when did you decide I don't like bel canto opera? I love it!

Laughing I was just joking!


As for 'My Fair Lady' i regard it to be one of the most beautiful and complete musicals ever written. A complete masterpiece in every way. Very Happy


I read about Richard Hickox today, so tragic and i think the dedication to the opening night of 'Les Contes D'Hoffmann' was a perfect gesture. I've no ideas who will replace him though.


Dominic McHugh wrote:Why do you think opera is a dying artform? Perhaps you could start a new thread on the topic in the opera section?

Its just a general observation that i've made. I've never met anyone my age who is interested in it at all. Maybe i should have said 'it is an acquired taste' but, much as it saddens me, i don't think it captivates a new generation. Maybe its something more people grow to appreciate as they get older? I can't really explain more than that...hope it makes sense!

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Post  StephenG Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:47 am

Everything is a dying art form! Cool

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