What's your favorite opera? Why?

Question:My favorite's "Barcelona" because that's the only one I know :o)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My favorite's "Barcelona" because that's the only one I know :o)

Madame Butterfly, hands down. Puccini is one of my all-time favourite composers, and Madame Butterfly is so beautiful.

A very close second is Carmen.

phantom of opera

The Magic Flute by Mozart

Tristan and Isolt by a certain Wagner.

Carmen. Who doesn't love the Toreador song or the Habanera??

West Side Story

Madame Butterfly... the emotions are so universal and Un Bel Di is Puccini's crowning glory in my opinion

Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland in December, 1542, when her father, King James V, died just six days after she was born. In 1568, she was forced to abdicate, partly because of her presumed complicity in the murder of her wastrel husband, Henry Darnley. She fled to England and was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth I. Regarded by some Catholics as the only legitimate heir to the throne of England after the death of Queen Mary (Elizabeth's half-sister), Mary Stuart's presence in England inspired multiple plots to overthrow Queen Elizabeth. Following the Babington Plot of 1586, Mary Stuart was convicted of treason; she was executed on February 8, 1587.

Act I, Scene One
The Palace at Westminster
The court awaits the arrival of Elizabeth, hoping that she will announce her engagement to the Prince of France. Elizabeth, however, worries that the liberty she and her people enjoy will be lost if she marries a foreign prince.

Talbot (George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury) asks Elizabeth to pardon Mary Stuart on this happy day; Cecil (William Cecil, the Lord Treasurer) argues that Mary inspires treason and should be executed. Elizabeth would like to be merciful, but will not tolerate any new evidence of treason.

Elizabeth wonders why the Earl of Leicester (Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester) is not present. He arrives, and Elizabeth, hoping he will object, orders him to take a ring to the French Ambassador with the message that she accepts the marriage proposal, but that she reserves the right to change her mind. Leicester accepts the order, and Elizabeth leaves, followed by her court.

Once they are alone, Talbot gives Leicester a letter and a portrait of Mary, saying he received them from her own hand. Leicester vows to free Mary, even at the cost of his own life. Talbot leaves.

Elizabeth confronts Leicester, wanting to know if Talbot brought him a message from Mary. Leicester shows her the letter and asks Elizabeth to meet Mary in hope of a reconciliation. Elizabeth asks Leicester if Mary is pretty; when he praises Mary's beauty, Elizabeth hides her jealousy and agrees to a meeting.

Act I, Scene Two
The park of Fotheringay Castle.
Mary is enjoying a rare outdoor stroll with her companion, Anna. She recalls her happy youth in France. Horns and voices announce the royal hunt, with the Queen in attendance. Though she asked for the meeting, Mary fears its outcome.

Leicester tells Mary that her letter inspired Elizabeth to meet her. He is optimistic that Mary will be freed, if she is submissive during the meeting. Mary worries that nothing she does will relieve Elizabeth's suspicion that she covets the throne. Leicester declares he loves Mary, and wants them to be together when she is free; Mary is concerned that he is placing his life in danger by supporting her. Mary moves away as Elizabeth and her entourage arrive.

Talbot formally conducts Mary to meet Elizabeth. Mary begs Elizabeth to forgive and forget, but Elizabeth, invoking the memory of Darnley, coldly accuses Mary of murder, treason, and seducing every man she meets. Mary's humble demeanor breaks: she calls Elizabeth a “vile bastard whose foot profanes the soil of England.” Elizabeth orders her guards to arrest Mary.

Act II, Scene One
The Palace at Westminster.
Elizabeth has doubts about sentencing Mary to death, but Cecil convinces her. She signs the warrant. Leicester enters and is dismayed when Cecil triumphantly displays the warrant. Leicester asks Elizabeth to reconsider, but she refuses and orders him to witness the execution.

Mary's apartment at Fotheringay.
Cecil shows Mary the death warrant. She refuses to see a Protestant minister, choosing to remain “a stranger to your faith.”

Alone with Talbot, Mary lays bare her guilt over the death of her husband, Henry Darnley. Talbot asks about the Babington Plot; she swears that Babington deceived her and that she goes to her death innocent of the treason for which she was sentenced.

Act II, Scene Two
A room near the execution chamber.
Mary's household gathers to say goodbye. They join her in praying that she be received by a merciful God.

Cecil tells Mary he has been ordered to grant her last wishes. She asks for Anna to accompany her to the steps of the scaffold, and she asks Cecil to tell Elizabeth that she can rest easy on her throne.

Leicester arrives, still protesting the injustice of the sentence. Mary thanks him for the comfort of his love and hopes her sacrifice will prevent any heavenly reprisal against England. As Mary is led to the scaffold, Cecil says, “The peace of England is assured, now the Queen's enemy is dead.”