[Texan5]

My very favorite opera is "Aida"-but my favorite aria is "Un Bel Di" from "Madame Butterfly"-it is just so haunting. I'm not a huge opera fan, but there are some that I like to listen to.

[Argh]

I love the music, of course, but don't care much for the plots, staging, costumes, hoopla, etc. I like to listen at home where I can see a staging in my imagination much better than any director is likely to devise. George Bernard Shaw was the same way: he used to review opera and concert performances (in the 19th century, before recordings). He would attend Wagner operas and listen with his eyes closed and imagine his own scenery, staging etc. Also, most opera singers are pretty lousy actors. :^)

[Argh]

For opera, your Butterfly composer Giacomo Puccini was probably the most consistently great melodist.

[Dutchgirl]

Delibes- Lakme "Flower Duet" crappy midi here.