Top 10 'Must Know' Opera Songs

This is just my selection of the top ten "must-know" opera songs for newcomers to the genre (or lovers of opera who want to listen to a couple of classics).

I've tried to be fair and spread the list across Italian, French and German pieces. You will also find arias (solo acts), duets (two person acts) and chorus numbers (featuring the full cast), although you will probably start to see a pattern with certain singers * cough * Pavarotti * cough* .

10. Una Furtiva Lagrima - from l'Elisir D'Amore - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (0.00)
9. Vide Cor Meum - from Hannibal - featuring Danielle Di Niese & Bruno Lazzaretti (4.48)
8. Un Bel Di Vedremo - from Madame Butterfly - featuring Maria Callas (8.40)
7. Duo des Fleurs (Flower Duet) - from Lakmé - featuring Sabine Devieilhe & Marianne Crebassa (13.20)
6. Libiamo, ne' lieti calici - from La Traviata - featuring Juan Diego Flórez & Diana Damrau (17.52)
5. La Donna è Mobile - from Rigoletto - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (21.01)
4. Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Queen of the Night Aria) - from Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) - featuring Diana Damrau (23.48)
3. Habanera - from Carmen - featuring Anna Caterina Antonacci (26.50)
2. Nessun Dorma - from Turandot - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (28.59)
1. O Mio Babbino Caro - from Gianni Schicchi - featuring Maria Callas (32.05)

To my fellow opera fans, please let me know if you think I've missed one (leave it in the comments below).

To my newcomers, welcome to the beautiful world of opera.
Which was your favourite?

[jfrakers]

My beloved husband introduced me to opera and I will be forever grateful to him. He died on March 26th, and I'm in tears listening to this. Thank you .

[avanii]

10. Una Furtiva Lagrima - from l'Elisir D'Amore - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (0:00)
9. Vide Cor Meum - from Hannibal - featuring Danielle Di Niese & Bruno Lazzaretti (4:48)
8. Un Bel Di Vedremo - from Madame Butterfly - featuring Maria Callas (8:40)
7. Duo des Fleurs (Flower Duet) - from Lakmé - featuring Sabine Devieilhe & Marianne Crebassa (13:20)
6. Libiamo, ne' lieti calici - from La Traviata - featuring Juan Diego Flórez & Diana Damrau (17:52)
5. La Donna è Mobile - from Rigoletto - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (21:01)
4. Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Queen of the Night Aria) - from Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) - featuring Diana Damrau (23:48)
3. Habanera - from Carmen - featuring Anna Caterina Antonacci (26:50)
2. Nessun Dorma - from Turandot - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (28:59)
1. O Mio Babbino Caro - from Gianni Schicchi - featuring Maria Callas (32:05)

(Made it easier, so you just click the blue-marked time-stamps, and instantly go to the part you want.)

[HeberFerrazLeite]

I guess the first thing you must know is that opera "songs" are called "arias" ;-)

[vincenttomeo]

Can't imagine a world without Music.

[alexyoussoupoff]

This is a great cross-section of Opera. I was taken against my will to the fabulous Maria Callas's farewell performance in London 1973. They couldn't get me to leave at the end. What an experience and a blessing. The best introduction to Opera possible.

[NicoleRorieSC]

I got to meet Pavarotti backstage in the costume room of the MET when my grandfather introduced me to him. I was 14 years old and completely in awe of his height and presence! ❤#opera #Pavarotti #NYC

[scallops]

My Mother who was a teacher, Taught English Lit, French, Math and Piano. Exposure to the arts such as Opera, classical music, Theatre Stage, playing an instrument and other aspects of culture was a prime directive in my household growing up. And she wanted all diversities to be able to have full access and the tools to experience it. She passed away some time ago. And now I fully appreciate and understand what she always wanted my sister and I to use as steppingstones in life.

[rolandrodriguez]

I was 28 when i started to appreciate opera. My father was very influential to my appreciation of this fantastic music. He's gone 10 years and I love it more than ever! Thanks Dad! ❤

[mradamhowell]

Pavarotti was a phenomenon wasn't he

[pixygiggles]

I love all types of music. It took me a little more than half my life to fully appreciate opera, not because I didn't like it but because I just didn't grow up with much opportunity to hear it. Well, other than on Bugs Bunny, lol. Now, I can honestly say that it is one of the purest forms of emotional expression that I've ever heard; and I dearly love it. Opera can take my breath away, make the hairs on my arms stand on goosebumps, move me to tears, and stir emotion within me like nothing else can. Just once in my life (preferably more), I would dearly love to see a live performance. Prima Donna, my gratitude to you for filling the last 34 minutes of my life with beauty. :)

[goldenbell]

When I hear opera songs, it feels like a song in heaven

[eveperkins]

I grew up in welsh valleys, our home was filled with music---opera the favourite We had nothing, but our home was filled with love, inspired by the music of arias being played on 78rpms. Wow that Filled me with awe and appreciation for music Dad was tenor, brother boy soprano like Bassey Neighbours genuinely loved our music days :) HAPPY DAYS AND TIMES

[karlbraun]

RIP Luciano Pavarotti 1935-2007. The greatest tenor of all times.

[patricksevere]

I was but a child when my appreciation for this glorious music began! I'm now 64 years old and I can't get along without it!! It touches me like no other music!

[margaretsandeman]

My heart almost stopped when Callas sang the words" so as not to die at our first meeting ". The passion and power in her voice was phenomenal.

[alvaroduran]

Without music, I am dead. This gives me so much life. Thank you

[susimora]

Every time I listen to Madama Butterfly last song I am breaking down into tears. For sure she says what an heart betrayed by destiny and sliced into pieces is feeling when giving up a life which becomes an heavy toll to bring about.

[aprilnorman]

I heard my first opera en utero, my parents would put the headphones on my moms belly. Now that they are both in heaven, I truly understand how tragically beautiful this genre of music is! Thank you mom and dad. RIP

[williampollard]

Well it’s taken almost 30 years, to find that mysterious beautiful piece, I once heard in a Honda Accord commercial. For over three decades, I have searched opera databases, and could never find the tune.

But thanks to you I found it finally!!

It’s name is Mio Babbino Caro

Thank you ever so much!!

[monicarosebloom]

Having this play in the background as I sit of my opened window in the evening, listening to the sound of the rain. It's a new different feeling of peace