Favorite Opera/Musicals/Singers

[Richard]

I have enjoyed quite a few.
Some Gilbert & Sullivan is considered 'low-brow' but is often uplifting and entertaining.
Verdi was the Master composer of many famous and exciting Italian Operas.
Andrew Lloyd Webber is arguably the most successful composer of our time.
Cameron Mackintosh produced some of his Musicals, he is/was a legendary theatre impresario.
Powerful and emotionally charged songs such as Javert's song from Les Miserables with Philip Quast as Javert performing "Stars" for the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, 8th October 1995, is a favourite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urxk4mveLCw

Does anyone else have a favourite?

[cbe]

I've got the DVD of that 10th Anniversary show - I think we've almost worn it out as we've watched it so many times.
I don't bother whether things are high brow/low brow - liked Miss Saigon which I saw in Liverpool
Always liked the original version of West Side Story on film.

[Richard]

This has to be the funniest and most tricky 'leg-dance' I have ever witnessed , from Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience by Opera Australia, the land of Macho red-neck tendencies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GugeH9xd9zE

[cbe]

Yes, very good

[seahermit]

When people ask me what music I like, my reply tends to be "What's good". If you really love music, it seems to me odd to confine your listening to particular genres.

I can still be quite happy at times hearing the Stones belt out "Paint it Black" (releases my aggression!) or listening to a song from a musical (Fiddler will always be a favourite - I saw it live in London and it was absolutely magical).

There is jazz as well, but opera is probably my true love. Verdi needs some effort (not as much as Wagner!) but he's worth it. My desert island discs would include Traviata and Aida. But then there's Puccini too - I know almost every note of Butterfly and Boheme. Probably Pavarotti was the greatest exponent of Italian opera during the latter part of the 20th century. Saw him live too - in Hyde Park in the rain! One of the highlights of my life.

[Richard]

The Stones had a point with their song stating 'you can't always get what you want' but much of their 'rock' was loud noise and not very subtle at all. The Who were able to connect with a disaffected youth before Glam-Rock took off.
T. Rex's Bolan was a pioneer of Glam Rock, initially a little psychedelic, along with 'The Sweet' of the 1970's.
Bowie was clever with some 'edgy' ditties and his searching out for and appealing to youth with a 'lost identity', with a need to belong, and a swan-song or three relating to whatever worked at the time, he had more 'legs' than his precursors
Queen's Freddie Mercury had the most beautiful vocal ability and was entertaining on a huge crowd - pleasing scale, always searching for something unattainable and yet somewhat charming and adorable.
I feel sorry for the youth of today with the resurgence of boring pop music, Indie, Trance rubbish that has nothing to match what has gone before.

[Richard]

And don't forget 'Adam Ant' from the days of Derek Jarman's futuristic Punk-themed 'Jubilee' still entertaining us as a musical artist, and 'Sparks' an American pop and rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1972, still performing...
Pink Floyd, Moody Blues and many others will not be forgotten.

All we had when I was about eight years old was The Beatles, and what a refreshing sound they managed to push out!

[cbe]

I can see Richard from your comment about age and the Beatles that I am quite a bit older - so perhaps that is why my all time favourite group was the Beach Boys. Always had a soft spot too for The Four Seasons (No - no Vivaldi) - that is probably why I've seen The Jersey Boys twice and am waiting for it to come around again.

[Richard]

Never seen 'The Jersey Boys' would like to see a musical made of 'The Book of Mormon'.
I think it is only on the Stage currently.

[cbe]

You will only like The Jersey Boys if you like the Four Seasons songs - the 'musical' is just a vehicle to play most of their hits really.