Whether you’re an opera fan or not, you will have heard opera music before and
most likely through one of these incredible arias. The most famous opera tunes
have been used in adverts, film, TV, social media and are regulars on radio
stations like Classic FM, so we’ve no doubt they will be familiar to you.
Read our list of the Top 15 most famous opera songs of all time.
###
## Habanera – Bizet
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJVBCIOTlFs?feature=oembed)
Video
One of the most spellbinding character entrances in opera, ‘Habanera’ is the
first aria sung by the titular character in _Carmen_ , Georges Bizet’s 1875
masterpiece. Melodic and infinitely hummable, it’s the sort of song that
sticks in your mind – you may have heard it in the movie Up or Beyonce’s Pepsi
commercial, but our favourite has to be the incredible [Ginger Costa-
Jackson](https://www.eno.org/artists/ginger-costa-jackson/)‘s performance with
ENO in 2023.
[Discover Carmen](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/operas/an-introduction-
to-carmen/)
###
## Queen of the Night – Mozart
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/jvtGRfI9Eok?feature=oembed)
Video
The Queen of the Night’s Act II aria from _The Magic Flute_ , ‘Der Hölle
Rache’ is most of [Mozart](https://www.eno.org/composers/wolfgang-amadeus-
mozart/)’s most recognisable pieces of music. Best-known for the fast
repetition of a high C and reaching several top F’s, this aria challenges even
the best sopranos.
The aria comes as the vengeful Queen demands her daughter, Pamina to plunge a
knife into the heart of her rival, the sorcerer Sarastro.
[Discover The Magic Flute](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-magic-flute/)
###
## Women Abandon Us – Verdi
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/-UAgETVR-lE?feature=oembed)
Video
The most famous part of Verdi’s [_Rigoletto_
](https://www.eno.org/operas/rigoletto/)is the aria ‘Women abandon us’ – or as
it’s known in Italian, ‘La donna è mobile’: One of the most familiar pieces of
music in all of opera, the aria is sung by the character Duke of Mantua and is
all about the ‘fickleness of women’ (his words, not ours).
You will recognise this from all sorts of popular culture references – from
the Pizza Ristorante advert to the soundtrack of the computer game Grand Theft
Auto III and many other films and TV shows including Alvin and the Chipmunks
and The Simpsons.
[Discover Verdi](https://www.eno.org/composers/giuseppe-verdi/)
###
## Major-General’s Song – Gilbert & Sullivan
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rs3dPaz9nAo?feature=oembed)
Video
Gilbert & Sullivan’s [_The Pirates of
Penzance_](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-pirates-of-penzance/) is chock-full
of memorable melodies, including the famous tongue-twisting song from the
Major-General, ‘I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General’.
You might recognise this from all sorts of popular culture references – from
The Muppet Show, to Family Guy to Frasier.
[Learn more about Gilbert & Sullivan](https://www.eno.org/composers/gilbert-
sullivan/)
###
## Nessun dorma – Puccini
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/8uqPnY5hQDs?feature=oembed)
Video
Unquestionably an operatic masterpiece, ‘Nessun dorma’ is one of the most
famous songs in opera. From Act 3 of Puccini’s 1926 opera _Turandot_ , this
iconic aria became a pop culture hit when the BBC paired Pavarotti’s recording
of the song with their 1990 World Cup coverage, leading it to hit number 2 in
the UK charts nearly 20 years after its initial release.
[Discover Puccini](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/operas/the-beginners-
guide-to-puccini/)
###
## Summertime – George Gershwin
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/91ANcPraYZY?feature=oembed)
Video
With at least 25,000 versions, [_Porgy and
Bess_](https://www.eno.org/operas/porgy-and-bess/)’s opening aria,
‘Summertime’, is the most covered song in the world.
Written in 1934, ‘Summertime’ was one of the first compositions George
Gershwin worked on for his brand-new opera _Porgy and Bess_. The jazz-inspired
song is a lullaby for Clara to sing to her child, and it is reprised several
more times throughout the opera. The versatile hit went on to be covered by
thousands of artists, in every genre from disco to reggae. Unfortunately,
Gershwin wouldn’t live to see his song become the world-famous one it is
today.
[Learn about the history of ‘Summertime’](https://www.eno.org/discover-
opera/the-history-of-george-gershwins-summertime/)
###
## Ride of the Valkyries – Wagner
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/2PSo5ygerMc?feature=oembed)
Video
‘Ride of the Valkyries’ is one of the most popular opera songs in the whole
canon. Due to being featured in a plethora of films and TV shows, including
Apocalypse Now and Star Wars, it’s a favourite amongst film buffs and opera
goers alike.
Found in the beginning of Act 3 of Die Walküre (_The Valkyrie_) – the second
of the four operas in [Wagner](https://www.eno.org/composers/richard-
wagner/)’s Ring Cycle – Wagner’s epic score accompanies a powerful scene where
the Valkyries carry fallen soldiers to rest in Valhalla.
[Read about Wagner’s most famous music](https://www.eno.org/discover-
opera/explore-more/wagners-most-famous-music-where-to-start/)
###
## O mio babbino caro – Puccini
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/TZNvtkTvOkY?feature=oembed)
Video
An exquisite aria which has somewhat eclipsed the fame of the opera itself, ‘O
mio babbino caro’ features in Puccini’s one act opera _Gianni Schicchi_(1918).
One of the most iconic opera songs, ‘O mio babbino caro’ has been performed
countless times over the last century, never failing to bring audiences to
tears.
[Read our Puccini composer guide](https://www.eno.org/composers/giacomo-
puccini/)
###
## Toreador – Bizet
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/OGw20DHzZxA?feature=oembed)
Video
Another belter from Bizet’s popular opera _Carmen_ , the ‘Toreador Song’ has
been a pop culture favourite for some time, having been covered by opera
singer Samuel Ramey on Sesame Street, as well as in The Simpsons, where it is
heard when the family pay a visit to see _Carmen_ at the opera.
[Learn more about Georges Bizet](https://www.eno.org/composers/georges-bizet/)
###
## Largo al factotum (Figaro’s Aria) – Rossini
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/7qHZkkgowdY?feature=oembed)
Video
‘Figaro Figaro Figaro!’
_The Barber of Seville_ is full of great tunes that are all incredibly
familiar, including Figaro’s famous aria, ‘Make way for the servant who does
everything’ (‘Largo al factotum’). Sung by Figaro (the barber of Seville
himself) as he shows how in demand he is, singing his own praises – ‘bravo
Figaro, bravo, bravissimo!’ You may have also heard [Robin William’s comedic
rendition in Mrs
Doubtfire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1iI2aulaFk&t=21s).
[Discover The Barber of Seville](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-barber-of-
seville/)
###
## The Drinking Song – Verdi
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/CWC673gF-KQ?feature=oembed)
Video
Perhaps one of [Verdi](https://www.eno.org/composers/giuseppe-verdi/)’s most
well-known operas, _La traviata_ is brimming with famous music. ‘Brindisi’
(‘toast’ in Italian) is the celebrated Drinking Song, a lively piece performed
in Act 1 during a party scene where the characters toast to life and love.
[Read about La traviata in popular culture](https://www.eno.org/discover-
opera/la-traviata-in-pop-culture/)
###
## Un bel di vedremo – Puccini
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/c-r2vu4t9-g?feature=oembed)
Video
One of the best-known and most successful Italian composers, it’s no surprise
that Puccini pops up yet again as we look at the most famous arias of all
time. ‘Un bel di vedremo’ features in _Madam Butterfly_ , one of opera’s most
enduring tales of unrequited love. Transalated as ‘One fine day we’ll see’
this aria is sung by Cio-Cio-San as she hopes and believes that her love will
return to her.
Discover Madam Butterfly
###
## Voi Che Sapete – Mozart
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/tH93uhBs5m8?feature=oembed)
Video
As with any opera by Mozart, [_The Marriage of
Figaro_](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-marriage-of-figaro/) is bursting with
recognisable music. You’re probably already familiar with Cherubino’s Aria
from _The Marriage of Figaro_ – ‘Tell me what love is’ (‘voi che sapete).
[Discover Mozart’s most famous music](https://www.eno.org/discover-
opera/mozarts-famous-music-start/)
###
## Ombra mai fu – Handel
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/EAP7j3B_yIY?feature=oembed)
Video
The first song performed in Handel’s opera _Xerxes_(1738), ‘Ombra mai fu’,
isn’t your classic opera love song in that it’s sung to a tree. So overwhelmed
is Xerxes by its beauty that he decorates it and arranges for it to be guarded
before he goes on his travels. It remains one of the most famous opera pieces
in the world.
[Read about Handel](https://www.eno.org/composers/george-frideric-handel/)
###
## Galop infernal (Can-can song) – Offenbach
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/sf9CtbLGzgw?feature=oembed)
Video
It’s one of the most famous pieces of music in the world, but you might not
recognise the ‘Galop infernal’ by name.
Featuring in the final Act of Offenbach’s [Orpheus in the
Underworld](https://www.eno.org/operas/orpheus-in-the-underworld/), the ‘Galop
infernal’ is the most famous example of Can-can music.
The fast paced, high-energy music has been used regularly in TV and film
throughout the years.
[Find out where you’ve heard it before](https://www.eno.org/discover-
opera/offenbachs-can-can-music-in-film-and-tv/)
Find out more about opera on our [Discover
Opera](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/) page. And learn how you can see
live opera performed by [ENO](https://www.eno.org/).
Related Content: The beginner’s guide to opera; Related Content: Beginner’s Guide to the Best and Most Famous Operas of All Time; Related Content: A Beginner’s Guide to Opera Genres