How to Catch an opera performance: A useful guide for beginners

Opera is a form of musical theatre that combines acting, singing, and music. It is performed with singers accompanied by an orchestra. Opera stories are often based on history, real life, or literature. They can be tragic, comical, or a mix of both. And because we are in Singapore, it’s important to note that this article is about “Western opera” as opposed to Chinese opera.

If you're new to opera, it can be a bit daunting. But don't worry, there's no need to be an expert to enjoy this amazing art form. Here are a few tips for getting started:

• Choose a beginner-friendly opera. Some good options include Carmen by Georges Bizet, The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, and La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. These operas have relatively straightforward plots and contain some of the most popular opera melodies.

• Don't worry about understanding the language. Many operas are sung in their original languages, such as Italian, German, French or Russian. But don't let this stop you from enjoying the music and the story. Most performances provide surtitles, which are English translations of the lyrics projected above the stage.

• Focus on the music and the drama. Opera is a visual and auditory feast. Sit back and enjoy the incredible singing, acting, and music.

Key elements of Western opera

Opera singing is a highly specialised and demanding art form. Opera singers must have a wide vocal range, power, and stamina, projecting their voices over the orchestra and across the opera house. There is also a spectrum of opera singing styles, two of which include the categories Coloratura and non-coloratura:

2. Coloratura

Coloratura singing is characterised by its agility, flexibility, and high range. Coloratura singers are able to sing rapid-fire passages and high notes with ease. This type of singing is often used for roles that require a lot of vocal virtuosity, such as Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti and The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

3. Non-coloratura

Opera singers and their different singing styles

Non-coloratura singing is a more general term that encompasses all other types of opera singing. 

Some of the types of opera singing include:

• Soprano: The soprano is the highest female voice type. Sopranos are often cast in leading roles, such as Mimi in La bohème by Giacomo Puccini and Violetta Valéry in La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi.

• Mezzo-soprano: The mezzo-soprano is a lower female voice type. Mezzo-sopranos are often cast in supporting roles, such as Amneris in Aida by Giuseppe Verdi and Carmen in Carmen by Georges Bizet.

• Contralto: The contralto is the lowest female voice type. Contraltos are often cast in roles that require a deep and powerful sound, such as Azucena in Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi and Erda in Das Rheingold by Richard Wagner.

• Tenor: The tenor is the highest male voice type. Tenors are often cast in leading roles, such as Rodolfo in La bohème by Giacomo Puccini and Alfredo Germont in La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi.

• Baritone: The baritone is a lower male voice type. Baritones are often cast in supporting roles, such as Figaro in The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini and Scarpia in Tosca by Giacomo Puccini.

• Bass: The bass is the lowest male voice type. Basses are often cast in roles that require a deep and powerful sound, such as Sarastro in The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Wotan in Die Walküre by Richard Wagner.

It is important to note that these are just general categories, and there is a lot of overlap between them. For example, some mezzo-sopranos have a vocal range that extends into the soprano range, and some baritones have a vocal range that extends into the tenor range.

4. Acting

Hold on tight as opera singers Martin Ng, Raymond Lee and Peter Ong – playing the roles of Ping, Pang and Pong in the opera Turandot – take you on a journey through their stories, using their voices and bodies as their instruments

Opera singers are also actors. They must embody their characters and convey the story through their acting and singing. Opera productions often involve elaborate sets, costumes, and lighting, which help to create a believable and immersive world for the audience.

5. Music and Orchestra

Hold on tight as opera singers Martin Ng, Raymond Lee and Peter Ong – playing the roles of Ping, Pang and Pong in the opera Turandot – take you on a journey through their stories, using their voices and bodies as their instruments