Beginner’s Guide to the Best and Most Famous Operas of All Time

One of the most performed operas worldwide

Considered one of the greatest operas, it’s no surprise that Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata is frequently performed around the world.

La traviata is one of the best examples of ‘Verismo’ – a style of Italian opera that focused on realism. This opera has a timeless plot based on a true story that aims to blur the lines between actors and audiences. True to the opera form, it features a heartbreaking tale of love, family and honour that climaxes to a tragic ending.

La traviata‘s unforgettable score includes ‘The Drinking Song’, which remains an audience favourite, as well as the heart wrenching arias ‘Amami Alfredo’ (Love me, Alfredo) and also ‘Addio del passato’ (Farewell past happy dreams) where the main character Violetta bids her farewells.

Verdi’s clever use of music as a way of emotionally connecting the characters on stage with the audience in the theatre is what makes watching La traviata a truly unique experience.

One of Opera’s Most Gripping Thrillers

Tosca is the second opera in the list from the legendary Italian composer, Puccini.

Set in Rome during a turbulent time following the French Invasion, the story reflected the political unrest in Italy at the time of Tosca’s first performances, which had to be delayed several times. However, once it was finally performed, Tosca was an immediate hit due to its dramatic plot and epic score.

It features one of the most famous Puccini arias, ‘Vissi d’arte’, which is an example of how Puccini represents dark, thrilling themes through the drama of the music.

This was a ground-breaking concept, with Tosca being considered one of the first operas that portrayed real, genuine violence on stage which aimed to shock as well as entertain audiences. This thrilling, fast paced production is what keeps audiences coming back time and time again.

One of the Most Recognisable Operas in the World

The plot of Carmen consists of everything that makes a good opera – passion, drama and tragedy.

Plus you’ll definitely recognise that Spanish music anywhere! Carmen includes some of the most famous opera songs in the world like the ‘Habanera’ and ‘Toreador Song’, which is what has contributed to the popularity of Bizet’s opera.

Learn more about this popular opera in our Introduction to Carmen.

However, Carmen joins a long list of operas that were not well received when they were first performed – way back in 1875. The controversial, immoral themes and spoiler alert, the death of the main character, broke the typical conventions of French opera at the time.

But like most great works of art, it was more appreciated after its time, with Bizet’s opera becoming critically acclaimed after his death, and remaining one of the most beloved operas to date.

One of Opera’s Most Accessible Works

Mozart is undeniably one of the most famous composers in the world.

He is a great entry into opera for beginners as you may be more familiar with his compositions and style of music. The Magic Flute is one of his most frequently performed works due to its unique score that evokes mysticism, magic and the wonder of fairy tales.

Read more about the opera in our Introduction of The Magic Flute

One of Mozart’s most famous songs from the opera is the ‘Queen of the Night Aria’ which is considered to be one the most vocally demanding arias to perform, requiring extraordinary talent and vocal range.

The Magic Flute is also a famous example of singspiel – a popular opera genre similar to musical theatre in that it features singing and dialogue. Therefore, if you love musicals then this could be the perfect bridge to get you into the wonderful world of opera.

The four operas of Wagner’s Greatest Work

Wagner’s Ring Cycle, or Der Ring des Nibelungen to give it its German name, is famous for being one of the most revolutionary works ever completed. It was part of Wagner’s attempt to disrupt the idea of ‘opera’, with his new, contemporary genre known as ‘music dramas’.

Typically The Ring Cycle is performed as four stand alone operas, The Rhinegold (Das Rheingold ), The Valkyrie (Die Walküre), Siegfried and Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods) – in that order. However, if you are committed you could listen to Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle in one sitting. You will need to take a few breaks though as Wagner’s work amasses to a total of 15 hours of music!

The plot of the Ring Cycle centres around the Gods from Norse mythology, meaning those who are new to opera will still be familiar with the characters from wider historical or pop culture references like Thor. Although each individual opera follows a different story and focuses on different Gods there are still small references to each of the other operas. However, you do not necessarily need to know all the stories as you can watch each individual show and enjoy them as stand alone pieces of art.

A Comic Opera for All Ages

As with many of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operas, the story of The Pirates of Penzance is a bit complicated but basically there are pirates.

The pirates take pity on some orphans. Those orphans are really peers of the realm. There’s a 21-year-old called Frederic. Frederic has sworn to put the pirates behind bars. However, Frederic is really only five. And there are policemen, who are really, really hopeless…

Read our explainer in our Introduction to The Pirates of Penzance.

The opera is bursting with memorable melodies, including the famous tongue-twisting song from the Major-General, ‘I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General’. This song is widely parodied with many examples of people adding their own words to the famous melody – think Tom Lehrer’s ‘Elements Song’, or taking the words and adding them to their own songs – like in hit musical Hamilton’s song ‘Right Hand Man’.

An Opera of Myth, Mystery and Grand-Scale Music

Left unfinished at the time of his death, Puccini’s Turandot has remained as one of the most recognisable pieces of opera.

Inspired by a German play of the same name, it took Puccini several years to turn his enthusiasm for the piece into one of his best known operas.

The writing process was an extremely difficult one as Puccini battled severe illness throughout and ultimately died before being able to finish.

Featuring the most famous tenor aria of all time ‘Nessun Dorma’, Turandot is full of exquisite orchestral music, typical of Puccini.

The story centres on a cold-hearted princess who beheads suitors unable to answer her riddles. But when a young prince falls for her and correctly answers all three riddles, the tables are turned and she is taken on a tumultuous journey to discover the true meaning of love.

One of Opera’s Most Heartbreaking Stories

Visually and audibly stunning, Madama Butterfly immerses the viewer in a tragic tale of love and heartbreak.

Famous around the world, it inspired the musical Miss Saigon and has memorable music many will recognise from TV and film.

Find out more about the opera in our introduction to Madama Butterfly

Already on this list for his masterpieces Tosca, Turandot and La boheme, Giacomo Puccini is widely considered the greatest proponent of Italian opera but Madama Butterfly was not an instant winner.

In fact, its premiere was a complete disaster. After four revisions he finally presented the ‘standard’ version, that we know today, in a second premiere, and it’s safe to say, his hard work paid off!

One of opera’s most enduring tales of unrequited love, Puccini’s poignant score follows the tragic tale of Cio Cio San, a young Japanese girl who falls in love with American naval officer Pinkerton, with devastating consequences.

An opera on a grand scale

Set in Ancient Egypt, Aida is a timeless story of love and betrayal against the backdrop of war. The story is a roller coaster of emotions told through Verdi‘s powerful music.

Aida is an Ethiopian princess held captive in Egypt, in love with a Egyptian General Radames. When he is chosen to lead the war with Ethiopia, we follow the conflict of Aida’s love for both Radames and for her country.

Verdi’s opera Aida is consistently one of the most performed opera around the world and it inspired the stage musical of the same name written by Tim Rice and Elton John.

Musically, Aida has majestic choruses and grand marches set against a backdrop of powerful music. It’s a great opera to start with if you’re new to our art form. Verdi is already on this list for his brilliant opera La traviata (1853).