The Ultimate Guide for Idiots to Understand Opera and Appear Cultured

You want to be cultured however you have never been to an opera. You fall under the class of "not knowing your Aria from your Elbow. Well, here are tips on how you can attend an opera and seem perfectly cultured, full of operatic knowledge and won't be left feeling like a fish out of water.

You have been invited to an opera and really do not have a clue about what to expect but you want to impress. Here are my top 5 Operas and tips on how to appear to know it all and be the most cultured member of your party.

TOP 5 OPERAS - TIPS & NEED TO KNOWS':

La Traviata

The title of this opera means The Fallen One and the composer if Giuseppe Verdi. The main storyline is that Alfredo falls for Violetta, unaware that she is dying. His Father wants her to give up his son and she finally gives in and goes back to her ex and becomes seriously ill. The most famous song from this Opera is called Sempre Libra which is an aria.

The Barber of Seville

The composer of this opera is called Gioaccino Rossini and one of the most famous songs is called FIGARO.
The storyline involves the Count Almavia who falls head-over-heels in love with the ward of Dr Bartolo, who is also in love with her. The ward is called Rosina and Almiva puts on many disguises he finally choosed to dress up as the Doctor Bartolo. When Almiva is dressed as the Doctor he persuades Rosina to elope with him.

Le Nozze di Figaro

The title of this opera means The Marriage of Figaro and was written (or composed is more cultural) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The storyline is based around Figaro and Susannah who plan to be married. However, a Count fancies Suzannah for himself and due to Figaro owing him money, he insists that if he can't pay it back Figaro is to marry his servant Marcellina. The Count tries hard to force this on Figaro while his own wife is in the background trying to help the two lovebirds. The main topics of conversation that you can bring up is the mistaken identity, corss dresing and the highly charged sexual intrigue.

La Clemenza di Tito

The title of this opera means The Clemency of Titus and was "composed" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as is the previous opera Le Nozze Di Figaro)....see, you are learing already. The storyline surrounds the love of Vitellia for the Emperor Titus but, as usual in Opera nothing is straightforward and he is planning to marry someone else. Vitellia persuades one of her many admirers to assassinate the Emperor Titus but he survives and forgives her. The song to watch out for in this opera is called Non Piu Di Fiori which is when Vitellia is confessing to Titis about her betrayal.

L'Amour des Trios Oranges

The title of this opera translates to The Love for Three Organges. Yes, really! The composer of this opera is Sergei Prokofiew and the storyline is based around a very wicked witch who puts a curse on a prince making him fall in love with three oranges. Ok, I never said that opera was not a little strange!. Each orange contains a princess however two of the princesses' die of thirst whilst one survives. Voila, the prince then falls for her! This opere has a happily-ever-after fairytale ending.

So, there are five operas which I have varied in order to culturally educate you in such an easy manner. You can dazzle people with your knowledge, cry when it is needed, laugh at the happy-ever-after endings or really blog your way through the entire Opera episode and perhaps, you may even enjoy the experience and want more.