A few of the “greatest hits” from the operatic repertory:
Overture to Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). While none of the music in the overture returns in the opera itself, it certainly does an excellent job setting the stage for the “day of madness” that is to follow.
From Verdi’s early masterpiece Rigoletto. Pavarotti sings this famous canzone as the Duke of Mantua, explaining the fickleness of women in the beginning of Act III of the opera. For those new to opera, Rigoletto is an excellent opera to start with!
Another hit from Mozart – Der Hoelle Rache, better known as the Queen of the Night aria, from Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). This is the Queen’s second aria; she also sings a fantastic coloratura aria in Act I.
Brindisi, or the Drinking Song, from Verdi’s La Traviata.
Bella figlia dell’amore from Verdi’s Rigoletto. This is one of my favorite quartets in all of opera. Listen to how Verdi reveals something about each character with their individual lines. Just magnificent!
The stunning Anna Netrebko singing Puccini’s masterpiece Quando men vo from La Bohème.
