Top 3 English-Language Operas for Beginners

Many people find opera to be intimidating, inaccessible or just plain boring. However, in many cases, this is largely due to the language barrier. Most well-known operas are written in Italian, French or German, and no matter how interesting the plot or tuneful the music, the foreign language component can be truly frustrating. Luckily for English-speakers, there are wonderful operas written by both American and British composers in our native tongue. Here are three that are perfect for any English-speaking listener who wants a good introduction to opera without worrying about a foreign language.

Dido and Aeneas, by Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell (1659-1695) is one of Britain's best known composers. His contemporaries include other Baroque masters such as J.S. Bach and G.F Handel (who composed the famous Hallelujah Chorus, among other things). Dido and Aeneas is loosely based on a story from the fourth book of Virgil's Aeneid, about Dido, the Queen of Carthage, and her lover Aeneas. The plot is not at all complicated and the opera is only about one hour in length, which by operatic standards is extremely short. What this piece lacks in length, however, is made up for in substance. The music is hauntingly beautiful - this opera is truly a jewel of the Baroque operatic repertoire. My favorite aria from Dido and Aeneas is "Dido's Lament," a well-known piece sung by the leading lady just before her death.

Albert Herring, by Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) is considered by all to be one of the greatest composers of the 20^th century. He was an accomplished pianist and author as well as a prolific composer, and his operas are beloved worldwide. Albert Herring is by no means his most famous work, but in my opinion it is an excellent introduction to Britten's music. The plot is humorous, centering on a town in England that is looking for a Queen of the May for their annual festival. Unfortunately, none of the young ladies in the town are upstanding enough to please the town matriarch, so the townspeople decide to crown Albert Herring, a fine young lad, King of the May instead. Albert's friends are amused by this turn of events and decide to play a trick on him, getting him drunk at the festival. The music in Albert Herring is melodious and tonal, unlike that of much 20^th century opera. The rousing Act I "May King" fugue, in which seven townspeople unanimously decide to crown Albert, is my favorite part of the show.

Amahl and the Night Visitors, Gian Carlo Menotti
With a name like Gian Carlo Menotti, you'd never believe that this composer wrote in English. However, Menotti (1911-2007) lived much of his life in the United States. He is well known as both a composer and a librettist, and actually wrote the libretto for Amahl and the Night Visitors himself. Amahl and the Night Visitors is one-act opera about a young, impoverished disabled boy and his mother, who live near Bethlehem. They are visited one night by three Kings on their way to see the Christ Child. Amahl's mother, who is desperate to lift her son out of poverty, tries to steal some of the Kings' gold, meant as a gift to the Christ Child. The Kings understand her motives and tell her to keep the gold, because the Christ Child won't need it. Amahl states that he would like to give a gift to the child as well, but has nothing to give but his crutch. As he offers it, his leg is healed, and he departs to accompany the Kings on their travels. This opera was originally written for television and became an annual Christmas broadcast tradition almost instantly. While my favorite aria in the opera is "All that Gold," sung by Amahl's mother, I love this opera largely because it reminds me of my former voice teacher, the late Dr. William McIver, who was one of the original Amahls. His 1955 performance of the role is now available on DVD.

There are many, many other English-language operas to choose from, but these three are perfect for beginners. They're also some of my favorites from the entire operatic repertoire, and believe me, there is a lot to choose from. Opera lover or no, these three operas are universally appealing!