Has anyone seen La Traviata? I'm trying to talk my 18 yr. old sister into going to the opera when we are visiting NYC over Thanksgiving. Think this is a good 1st opera to go to?

La Traviata is my absolutely favourite opera and I love it dearly, but wouldn't recommend it as a first opera. You'd be better off finding something that's in English, and hopefully a comic opera rather than a tragedy. Die Fledermaus is an excellent one - it has lovely music and lots of slapstick humour. The problem with Traviata is that it's a typical Italian romantic opera - the heroine dies of consumption, but sings a lengthy aria just prior to expiring. The plot is a bit unlikely by contemporary standards - it's a musical version of "Camille". Actually there's a movie version that was made, I think, in the mid-80's with Teresa Stratas and Placido Domingo which is probably available on video, and it's pretty good. Why not rent it and see what you think? As for me - I'd see it anytime, anywhere, but I happen to love it.

I can only chuckle to read of La Traviata being described as "a musical version of 'amille."
It's risky business taking someone to his/her first opera. Opera is usually an acquired taste. Have you thought about borrowing the CD from your library and playing it for her?
I agree with Cindy that La Traviata may not be the best choice for a first opera. Perhaps something a little lighter and/or more familiar like Carmen. What are the other choices over that weekend?

Other choices at the Met:
Luisa Miller
Madama Butterfly
Die Miester-singer von Nurnberg

Thanks for the suggestions!!!

Traviata was the first opera I saw, and I loved it, but by then I'd been listening to opera on CD for a while. The description of it as a musical Camille is quite accurate -- the libretto actually is based upon Dumas' novel and play "La Dame Aux Camellias" (a/k/a/ Camille).

From the choices available, I think Butterfly might be a better choice because of all that lush Puccini music. Regardless of what you choose, it is a good idea to try a CD first and to read at least a good synopsis.

Message to the 18 yr. old sister:

Your sister is nuts. Don't go for it. If you must, go the the opera and then take her to CBGB on the Bowery for some punk music!

I agree with the above comment that opera is an acquired taste. I learned to like some operas despite the fact that my parents drug me to a rancid performance of Madame Butterfly when I was 14. I have disliked the opera ever since despite owning a recording with Jussi Bjoerling and Victoria de los Angeles.
As for La Traviata as a first opera, why not? Die Fledermaus in English does not project some of the key points of the original plot, which probably makes no difference to a neophyte. On the other hand, it is not grand opera but more light opera because of the lengthy spoken dialog. In fact some of the parts are not singing parts, e.g. Frosch, Ida and Dr. Blind.

La Traviata at least has the sparkling music of the first act which culminates with that tremendous, dramatic tour de force for any soprano when Violetta challenges Un di felice and Sempre libra.

As for a first opera, that is hard to say. Carmen maybe? Aida? La Nozze de Figaro? La Boheme? In a lighter vein, my all time favorite is The Merry Widow, but only when done in true blockbuster Viennese style.
I could even make a case for Turandot, particularly when done with the spectacular choral work at the Opera Bastille.

I agree that Madame Butterfly might be a better choice, though both are certainly among the world's most popular operas and either will make for a pleasurable evening.
Yes, Violetta, I know that La Traviata is based on the Dumas novel, but to refer to it as a musical version of Camille.....
I might add that just being in the Met is a memorable experience in itself.

La Trav. is an absolutely great Opera for a first timer - very flamboyant and with many many wonderful arias in it. Madam Butterfly on the other hand has no where near the number of beautiful arias and is not as grand and it neally borders on a musical. Its Verdi versus Puccini really and every time I would take Verdi. Seeing it on the TV ( video) and seeing a stage production is like eating a box of chocolates compared with looking at a picture of a box of chocolates. Madam B is kind of nice but not magestic if you like.
The other one on at the Met are definately NOT for the first time.
As for La Trav not being in English - I won't go and see, or hear, an Opera if its in English. There is nothing worse than and English translation which sounds like some abomination. One is there for the music and the lyrics which were first written. It never matters whether its in French or Italian. Gilbert and Sullivan did light Opera are nice and they are in English but they make sense in English - the others don't

I think we have to bear in mind that we're talking about an 18-year-old who may not have had any previous exposure to opera. (And yes, my description - "a musical version of Camille" -was ever so slightly tongue in cheek!) I would hate to think, I guess, that anybody would be bored by a work that usually has me sobbing by the time we get to "Dite alla giovine". The idea is that this should be an experience that's pleasurable, rather than, dare I say it, tediously educational. Traviata has glorious moments in it but they may not be for everybody. That's why I suggested wading into the cultural waters rather than jumping off the high diving board. And while I agree in principle about bad English translations (I sang in a chorus for Tosca a few months ago,where the translation was so bad we were hysterical on stage - didn't make for much of a performance, I'm afraid) the music can often make up for a silly libretto. I try not to let my inherent snobbishness get the better of me.

As one La Traviata lover to another, Cindy, I'm glad to hear your tongue was firmly placed in your cheek!
One other point that Becky should be aware of: There are English subtitles available at every seat at the Met to help you understand what's going on (i.e., what's being sung).

Becky,
The Met does a nice job on these classic productions. Traviata, La Boheme or Carmen are all well known classics that would be appropriate for a 1st time Opera goer.
I would not go to see Madam Butterfly again. Very long, very, very boring. (Boheme is a brisk 2:45 minutes which might be a good introduction.)
In terms of seeing an opera translated into English, that seems to defeat the whole purpose. You might as well go see the Broadway play that is based on the opera. In any event, The Met has an English language translation that can be viewed on the back of each seat.

Have a great time and let is know if you need a restaurant recommendation (Mine would be Josephina's just across the street from Lincoln Center.)

I grew up in NYC so went to the opera often. Loved it the first time I saw it which was around age 16. I think Traviata is a great choice. It's romantic and tragic and the music is lush and beautiful. Just learn about the story before hand and have a great time.

My sister have been raised on musicals--granted it's not opera--but we have seen them all. So that's a start--my sister isn't into punk. It's just the stigma of 'opera' to an 18 yr old. I read the synopsis on the Met's website for La Traviata. Forgive me but it reminded me of the story line in the new movie Moulin Rouge w/ Nicole Kidman(I don't know much about Camille). My sister loved that. I'd rather not see an English performance. I think you go to hear [and FEEL] the wonderful sounds of opera. Personally, I think you could read a phone book in French or Italian and it sounds ten times better than poetry in English.

Yes, food restaurant suggestions are welcome too! Thanks so much!

Around the Lincoln Center area my fave place is Picholine - excellent food but pretty expensive. When my 6-year-old is with us we always end up at O'Neals. I used to go to Saloon but not lately - pricy for OK food. John's Pizzeria is great for pizza and I adore the two ampersand restaurants around there: Nick & Toni's (mediterraneanish - great soups & pastas) and Vince & Eddie's (fireplace in the winter, tasty American food).

Well at least the decision does not hinge on taking in some Wagnerian marathon! I think it would be postively dreadful to take a first timer to an opera like Parsifal, that goes on for 5 hours or so of that infernal Wagnerian yowling, or some other Wagnerian opera like Die Wälkure, which is another marathon experience of similar sound and fury.
Why not Cav and Pag in the usual double bill style?? If the new opera goer gets bored out of their gourd after the first opera, he or she can leave without missing a complete opera.

As for La Traviata, can any opera's first act match Traviata? In the space of just a few minutes the audience hears that wonderful overture, Libiamo, Un di felice, Ah fors e lui, and Sempre Libra. All of them blockbusters.
Of course the first act of Carmen has some great music, too, including the Habanera, the duet between Micaela and Don Jose, and the Sequidilla as well as some spendid choral singing as the act unfolds.

Speaking of Carmen, any of you have a nomination for the best stage performing Carmen of the present day? As a young man I was fortunate to see and hear the incomparable Rise Stevens perform the title role. Not only could she sing the part, but she could dance it too, and her beautiful and commanding stage presence left little doubt as to why that soldier boy decided to desert and take to the hills with her.

I never saw Tatiana Troyonos perform the role on the stage, but she has one of the most beautiful mezzo voices ever put on vinyl. (and later transferred to CD)

Adding to Al's comments, the first act o La Boheme ain't too shabby either. The final 12 minutes are among the most beautiful music Puccini ever wrote!

There seem to be lots of opera fans out there! At the risk of getting this thread deleted because it's not strictly about travel, would anybody care to contribute some of the lesser-known funny opera anecdotes (I would consider the famous "What time does the next swan leave?" story as not being lesser-known) - a lot of them are pretty good. I could tell you one that I heard from a bass player who was in the pit during an Italian production of Aida, and another from somebody who conducted a Traviata that went in an unpredictable direction - twist my arm and I'll tell you all about it!

Cindy -- twist, twist!!

I saw my first opera at age 16, it was Madame Butterfly, performed by the company from the Met at the Opera House in Wilmington, DE. I remember being mesmerized by the last act as my boyfriend at the time snored and drooled on my shoulder. Ah, youth.

Now that I'm in my twenties (and have dumped said BF) I have enjoyed a variety of productions, and I'd say Italian lyric opera is the best choice for an 18 year old girl. At that age, I was utterly captivated by anything romantic, and well, you just can't get any more romantic than Italian opera. Although I do love Mozart...The Magic Flute would be a spectacular first opera! Don Giovanni would be awfully fun, too. Love the last scene.

My fave of all time is Tosca. Saw Turandot last year, loved it too (the chorus is breathtaking!) I've gotten my fiancee addicted too, he still can't stop talking about that poor girl in a bag in Rigoletto. Of course, he recognizes some of the music from the Bugs Bunny cartoons of his youth!

To answer your question, I saw La Traviata at age 18 and loved it, and I was only marginally interested in opera at the time. Before you go, have her read a synopsis...I find this really helps my fiancee, who has a hard time paying attention to the music when he doesn't know what's going on with the plot. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Hey, my arm just got twisted! Okay - here's story #1 - it's a bit shorter than story #2. A close friend of mine who was principal double bass in the Toronto Symphony for years told me this one: he was playing in the pit orchestra in a small town in Italy during a production of Aida. They decided to use a live horse in one of the scenes. The horse was used to lots of noise and chaos, and seemed to handle the dress rehearsal and the first few performances quite well. However, while he was parked in the wings prior to his entrance one night, nobody seemed to know or particularly care that he was standing over an electrical transformer. He decided, as horses will do, that nature was calling, so he proceeded to do what racehorses are famous for. Unfortunately this caused him to go out in a blaze of glory, as it were, and it knocked out the power in the entire town for 24 hours until they could get everything repaired. Probably one of the more spectacular Aidas, wouldn't you say?