What opera should I take my mom to see?

Question:I invited my mom to see Tannhauser with me in February but she has to work on the day I invited her. However, there are a few more operas showing at the local theater this season. Which one should I take her to see? Consider that my mom is not an opera person and has never seen one before. She's the kind of person that doesn't like complicated plots or anything (she really enjoyed seeing "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in theater a few times and loved it).

I told her she can go see "Aida" with me but I'm still not sure if she'd like it or not.

These are the operas that are showing at our local opera house (Tannhauser is the opening opera which I will see by myself).

*Mary, Queen of Scots
*Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci
*Aida
*Pearl Fishers

Thanks for your help!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I invited my mom to see Tannhauser with me in February but she has to work on the day I invited her. However, there are a few more operas showing at the local theater this season. Which one should I take her to see? Consider that my mom is not an opera person and has never seen one before. She's the kind of person that doesn't like complicated plots or anything (she really enjoyed seeing "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in theater a few times and loved it).

I told her she can go see "Aida" with me but I'm still not sure if she'd like it or not.

These are the operas that are showing at our local opera house (Tannhauser is the opening opera which I will see by myself).

*Mary, Queen of Scots
*Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci
*Aida
*Pearl Fishers

Thanks for your help!

Frankly, it is probably a good thing that your mother can't make it to Tannhauser. For someone who has never seen an opera before, Wagner can be a bit hard to digest.

I am actually having this same problem with my mother. I sing as an operatic tenor and she wants to be interested, but can't seem to get into it. I have actually decided to take her to Boheme for her first opera. The classic Italian opera is what people expect and you have to find something that is emotionally laden which will tug at a mother's heartstrings. Boheme, Calalleria, Pagliacci or Aida are perfect choices. The plots are followable with supertitles and the music is stupendeous.

Also, make sure you go over the plot with her well before the opera. Let her listen to recordings of the famous arias and point out your favorites or the ones your voice part sings (if you are a singer). This will give her something to relate to and will make the whole experience more enjoyable.

well, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Pearl Fishers are the two least well-known operas, so unless she's read up on the libretto, she's going to get lost.
Aida is pretty clear-cut, story-wise ( and all that great music doesn't hurt!) If they are staging it traditionally, there's a lot of costumes to look out or, and the big march, of course.
For Cav/Pag, it's imprtant that she knows that they are not related to one another, just performed on the same evening. I've had so many people ask, "how does the first act relate to the second?" (after the show), and watch their mouths drop open when you tell them it's two completely different shows.
It's probably a good idea to give Tannh?user a miss, if you're not into opera. All those guys having a try at it in the first act, and bombing out ( unless they are doing the staging as an American Idol take-off, which leads me down improbable paths for a future staging idea...) . It's pretty longwinded ( I've done about 15 performances, and that's enough for me) .
I'll pick Aida.
By the way, what a great season you theater is producing.
Lots of contrast.

Hi,
As an older opera lover, I'd take her to see Cav & Pag as they are shorter, self-contained operas with pretty memorable music and good stories. I especially love Cav!

Tim

By far, you should take her to Aida. These are normally huge productions. The story is great, with pomp and glory, and a shocking ending. It's everything that an opera is suppose to be.

Well, thank goodness she can't make it to Tannhauser.

I vote for Aida. It has melodies that may sound familiar to her and it's an easy story. Also the music is beautiful.

Personally, I would suggest THE MAGIC FLUTE, because, not only is it my favorite opera, the story is pretty easy to follow and the music is spectacular. You get the best of both worlds.

If you love your mother you wouldn't make her sit through an opera. Sorry but ew. Just not my bag.