Do you have a favorite opera?

Question:

Do you have a favorite opera?

...and what is a good age to introduce young people to opera?
Thank you.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My favorite opera to listen to is Cavalleria Rusticana (or La Boheme). I was first introduced to opera from Bugs Bunny (the barber of seville one is great!) and my first opera was Hansel and Gretel (on a school field trip in 6th grade). Most opera houses have outreach for children, depending on where you're living. I am now a professional opera singer (SF Opera, Chicago, Metropolitan) and my son is 3 years old. He loves the classical tunes on Little Einsteins, but I don't bring him to the theater yet, because operas are too long for him to sit still. (most Pixar movies are around 90 mins, most operas are more like 3 hours or more). But as a 10 year old, I really enjoyed Hansel and Gretel. Another option is to go to outdoor venues (like park concerts) where you can listen to the music but a kid can run around if they get bored. Most "grand" opera is sung in foreign languages (that's why the outreach shows are in english)- which would also cut down on a kids attention span. Most theaters now project the translation above the set, but obviously you have to be able to ready quickly to follow the text.

You can always play opera highlights in the car :)

:)
EW