GETTING OPERA: THE ULTIMATE OPERA COURSE FOR NOVICES AND EXPERTS
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GETTING OPERA: THE ULTIMATE OPERA COURSE FOR NOVICES AND EXPERTS
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This course, which is also the best opera guide ever, is not.
This course is only for the open-minded; for those who really want to enjoy opera. Really, really enjoy it.
Secrets. We're going to share some secrets with you, for openers.
There are two types of opera secrets: those you can share with anyone that will make your conversation with them that much more enjoyable, and those you cannot share lest someone should think of you as a radical. In order to enjoy every performance you go to and every recording you listen to, you have to know both. Don't worry. You will. It's not rocket science.
What makes an opera melody different from any other melody? There have always been many gifted melodists who wrote airs, ditties, songs, etc. And yet, those who could put together opera-worthy melodies have been ridiculously few. Why? How is opera music different? (You can share this one with your friends).
The sunrise is depicted in the music in Richard Wagner's Lohengrin, Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, and Giacomo Puccini's Turandot. How different are the three composers' methods of depicting the same event? (You'll be able to describe this to your friends easily).
The high "C" is the highest note a tenor, the highest male voice, can sing. Many Italian composers from various epochs used it. Giuseppe Verdi never did. Why not? (Many people think they know. Many of them are wrong. Shhhh ... )
(Naturally, some people will take exception to the above paragraph. They will point out that, for instance, the leggiero type tenor (thin, lightweight, unnaturally flexible) can go way beyond the high "C"; for instance, the Arturo part in Bellini's I Puritani includes a high "F". Don't listen to them. They don't really like opera. They don't listen to it on a regular basis. What they do like is posing as erudites, which makes them feel good about themselves and superior to you. In reality, operas that include tenor notes higher than the high "C" are boring. (Shhh! ... Don't say this in public ... ) The same people will also point out (trying to sound smug) that the highest male voice in opera is not tenor but countertenor. When they do so, feel free to wonder what they like more: opera or hair-splitting? Here's another secret. Operas that include countertenor parts are also boring. And another one, which is also a rule of thumb: a good opera is an opera you can listen to again and again and again. And again. Shhh ... ).
J.S. Bach never wrote an opera. L. v. Beethoven wrote one. And yet both are crucially important to opera's history. Why?
What would have happened to opera if Verdi did retire as planned (when he became famous and wealthy enough)? (shhh ... )
Librettists seek out interesting stories and put them into scripts ready to be set to music. Composers write the music. A whole bunch of people then pick up the finished score and work very hard for months before it's ready to be presented on the stage. After it is performed, critics write about it. Who is the most important person in any opera production? We'll tell you. As a matter of fact, we'll let you in on that one right now. It's you. You're the one for whom opera is written and performed. You're the one who pays for the ticket. (Shhh! ... some folks might take offense ... )
There are many other secrets. We'll let you in on all of them. This course - the ultimate opera guide - reaveals everything!
Sounds impossible, doesn't it? It's true, though. Oh, yes. There is no better opera guide in the whole world.
Listening to Getting Opera and looking at the illustrations in the brochure is like watching an exhilarating show. You値l be having a lot of fun while you池e actually learning. By the time you're done with this entertaining course (reminder: this course is also the best opera guide ever!), you値l be surprised to find that suddenly you know everything there is to know about opera in order to get maximum enjoyment out of it, appreciate it, and hold your own in a conversation about it.
Opera may not be a very old art form. Nevertheless, enough has been said and written about it to confuse anyone. What Getting Opera does is strip away the layers of nonsense accumulated over the centuries, leaving in only that which is essential for you fully to enjoy opera. And that's not everything, either!
You'll be able to talk about opera as a true expert - with anyone.
You'll be able to take your date or your spouse to a performance and give him/her some pointers, and share with him/her some secrets, so that he/she can enjoy the show as much as you do, and be grateful to you for it!
Getting Opera consists of 26 MP3 audio files that include the narrative and excerpts from various important operas performed by the best opera artists in history. Listening to the sound tracks and following the illustrations and lyrics in the brochure, you値l see how much more enjoyable opera will suddenly become for you than it ever was! (No opera guide does this).
As you go along, you will also learn about composers' individual styles, their bios, various types of operatic voices, necessary bits of music theory and terminology, historical anecdotes involving opera, as well as the entire history of opera (really) - you'll be able to grasp it all without noticing!
We have literally turned thousands of people into die-hard opera fans over the years. Some of them had no previous opera knowledge; others were music school graduates. Whether you're a novice or an expert, this course (the best opera guide ever) is for you!
Download the brochure and audio files for $69.99
(Warning: the size of this downloadable archive is approximately 350MB. It might take a while. Make sure you have enough space; also make sure there are no interruptions).
Or -
Order the package (MP3 disk+brochure) by snail mail for the same price (shipping included). You'll be able to copy it to your favorite media or use it in your MP3 player. You値l be getting great entertainment and knowledge you値l enjoy using - forever!
Order now!
TESTIMONIALS
It's shocking how much useful information on opera you can get in such a short time. No opera guide can do this for you.
I now realize I can enjoy opera as much as anyone out there. Thank you for a wonderful course!
I love the speaker's narrative. It's like watching a show, the kind that always keeps you on the edge of your seat. Opera can really move me now.
What I enjoy most about the course, apart from the breath-taking music, is hearing the story of opera itself, and each composer's story. It's a whole different world out there.
I must admit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but YES, my expectations were met and exceeded! Now I have more than enough knowledge to enjoy opera on my own. I know what to look for.
Just a quick note. Thanks! Your course is just great. The format in which you present the material is both informative and easy to grasp, and the music - oh! I enjoyed a lot of opera before, but understanding what really goes on in each one of those scenes is so much more enjoyable. What a course! What an opera guide! Thanks!
It's engaging and entertaining, and it offers interesting bits to both newcomers and those who know their opera. Thumbs up!
The amount of fun I'm having with this course is totally embarrassing.
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Opera is for everyone. Really. It is. Theoretically, absolutely anyone can enjoy opera.
Pointers. We'll give you some pointers that will make every MOMENT of a recording you purchase and every performance you attend sheer joy. We'll enjoy giving you these pointers, and you'll enjoy listening. We'll show you exactly how to get maximum excitmement out of any opera composed in any of the four major opera periods. We'll show you what to look for in every performance. Whether you're a beginner, an old fan, or a professional opera performer, we'll make you a true opera connoisseur in less than three hours. 
