Photo by Catherine Ashmore
Last weekend The Guardian asked artistic directors of the UK's seven main opera houses to say why opera is important today, to choose their favorite opera and suggest the best for beginners to see. Here are three of the responses:
* Richard Mantle, general director, Opera North, said "Opera performed live is a uniquely thrilling experience — at its best, it is hugely powerful and the most emotionally direct of all art forms." He cheated on the "favorite opera" question by naming both Verdi's Don Carlos and Britten's Peter Grimes. For first timers: "Almost any Janáček opera — real stories, real characters, great music."
* Kasper Holten, director of opera, Royal Opera House, said "Opera can make us see, feel and hear the world differently." He found the "favorite opera" question "impossible," but came up with Mozart's Don Giovanni. For beginners: "Totally depends on who you are. Don Giovanni, La traviata, Die Walküre or Wozzeck. [Wozzeck?!]
* Alex Reedijk, general director, Scottish Opera, said "Quite simply, opera is the stuff of life. It is the ultimate expression through live performance of the human condition, of all that we feel, fear and care about." His pick: "Janáček's operas — the drama, musicality and sheer intensity of the experience." His sensible selection for newbies: "Madama Butterfly — The themes and the story of the opera are so real and universal that even if you don’t understand the words you can feel what’s happening through the emotion created by the music."