Going to an opera

[TheWall]

Going to see the phantom of the opera today. Excuted.

[Cerebrum123]

Going to see the phantom of the opera today. Excuted.

Don't go!

[TheWall]

That was supposed to be excited. Haha

[thewriteranon]

Phantom is not an opera. It's a musical. Do not let opera people know you called it an opera.

[seer]

Yeah, I was going to say - why they hell would anyone go to an opera. But I then remembered that I saw Tommy, yes I'm quite sophisticated.

[TheWall]

I am back. Fun time.

[Teallaura]

Handy reference: if they talk and maybe sing a song, it's a play; if they talk and sing, a lot, it's a musical; if all the dialogue is sung, it's an opera.


Which is why, excepting the take at the end (which is awesome, by the way) "What's Opera, Doc" is actually an opera. Sadly, it will never be performed at the Met...

[thewriteranon]

Handy reference: if they talk and maybe sing a song, it's a play; if they talk and sing, a lot, it's a musical; if all the dialogue is sung, it's an opera.


Which is why, excepting the take at the end (which is awesome, by the way) "What's Opera, Doc" is actually an opera. Sadly, it will never be performed at the Met...

Unfortunately, I've learned that rule falls apart a lot. Les Mis is basically sung through and is considered a musical. RENT, besides being awful, is called a "rock opera" but it tends to hold more stock in musical fan groups than opera. Don't even ask me what qualifies as an "operetta" because who knows? Nobody knows. Opera people have their things and musical people (me) have ours.

[Teallaura]

Unfortunately, I've learned that rule falls apart a lot. Les Mis is basically sung through and is considered a musical. RENT, besides being awful, is called a "rock opera" but it tends to hold more stock in musical fan groups than opera. Don't even ask me what qualifies as an "operetta" because who knows? Nobody knows. Opera people have their things and musical people (me) have ours.

I know - but he has to start somewhere.

Wait, I thought Le Mis had dialogue? I really should watch that sometime.

[thewriteranon]

I know - but he has to start somewhere.

Wait, I thought Le Mis had dialogue? I really should watch that sometime.

The movie has dialogue, most of which is converted from sing-talk in the play. The play has virtually no straight talk.

Many operas (so I'm told) have bits of spoken dialogue up to and including soliloquies. I'm not an opera person though so don't quote me on it.

ETA: I have Poor Fool, He Makes me Laugh stuck in my head now. Thanks.

[Teallaura]

The movie has dialogue, most of which is converted from sing-talk in the play. The play has virtually no straight talk.

Many operas (so I'm told) have bits of spoken dialogue up to and including soliloquies. I'm not an opera person though so don't quote me on it.

I love opera - and yes, there are a lot that do have some spoken dialogue, usually as an aside, but very little relative to the work as a whole.

Sing-talk? Isn't that what Rex Harrison used to do in all his musicals?

[thewriteranon]

I love opera - and yes, there are a lot that do have some spoken dialogue, usually as an aside, but very little relative to the work as a whole.

Sing-talk? Isn't that what Rex Harrison used to do in all his musicals?

I don't know because I do not know that reference. Sing-talk is when there is little melody or, uh, musicality. They're basically singing just singing sentences.

Par exemple:

https://youtu.be/I8WSysB5vKM

Nobody goes around humming the sing-talk songs in Les Mis (unless you're me). Everyone knows the big numbers, e.g. I Dreamed a Dream and One Day More!

ETA: ear warning the clip contains Russell Crowe Javert.

[Teallaura]

You don't know Rex Harrison?!?!?!

My Fair Lady, Doctor Doolittle...

I blame public school education...

[thewriteranon]

You don't know Rex Harrison?!?!?!

My Fair Lady, Doctor Doolittle...

I blame public school education...

I went to private school for half my education (and more if you count post-secondary), so that's not it. I know My Fair Lady (and Dolittle but only via the Eddie Murphy remake) but it's not my taste in musicals so Harrison is not a name on the top of my mind. I'm primarily a Sondheim, uh, fan.

[Teallaura]

Oh, and I watched the video - yes, that's it.