Hubster
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The Devil's Steed said:Good post Hubster. I agree with everything except the comment about the soprano vocals, as I find soprano's hitting their high notes to be rather annoying. (It's simply too high pitched for my taste)
I used to feel the same, but it also depends on the Opera, and the subjective matter... Nevertheless, the spectacle of a woman hitting such notes and singing with such natural beauty is an awesome spectacle.
I used to find the mens' singing annoying, but after watching Amadeus (namely the scene in Don Giovanni where the commander comes down the steps to the stage, combined with rises and falls of string sections), I was reduced almost to tears... the combination of story, beautiful music and incredible vocal work in Opera is something I am finding to be truly beautiful and emotional.
Again - while I love Metal more than any other music, classical / opera is taking me to planes which no other music can enable me to travel to, both aurally, technically and emotionally.
Bring on November! (my first Opera attendance!!!)