What are some popular mainstream Opera songs?

What are some Opera songs that if I put on my Ipod would sound familiar to others? Some really pretty ones that are easy to listen to?

Thanks!

What are some popular mainstream Opera songs?concert venue

Ok here's my list of upbeat and slower tempo ones!

Upbeat arias:

Any aria from Carmen, but I would say L鈥檃mour est un oiseau (AKA Habanera) or Pres des remparts de Seville (aka Seguildilla).

From the Magic Flute opera, The Queen of the Night aria or Papagena! Papageno! (which is hilarious).

Of course, the Flower duet from the Opera Lakme.

From La Boheme, Qunado Men vo

From La Traviata (pasta commercials love this one), Libiamo, Me Lieti Calici (AKA Brindisi)

From The Marriage of Figaro, Non so pui cosa son

From The Barber of Seville, Una voce poco fa and Figaro

From Porgy and Bess (an often overlooked opera) My Man's Gone Now, It ain't Necessarily So (my fav), or Summertime (although that is a little slower).

Now to the slower ones:

From Madame Butterfly, Un bel di Verdremo

From Nessun Dorma and Signore Ascolta, From Turandot (you've probably heard Pavarotti's version which is great)

From the Marriage of Figaro (again), Porgi'amor (try Kiri Te Kanawa's version. absolutely wonderful)

From Gianni Schicchi, O mio Babino Caro

From La Traviata, Di Provenza Il Mar Il Suol

And ANY ARIA from Wagner's Tristan und is Isolde is absolutely gorgeous. Even if you don't know them they will be moving.

Most of the arias from La Boheme are pretty slow and beautiful (except Quando which is upbeat, the one I listed)

From Tosca "Vissi d'arte " (Leontyne Price's version will move you to tears)

Have you checked out any of Handel's Messiah? They aren't specifically opera, but it is classical are definitely familiar to most. And quite intricate as well.

So many to choose, but these are some familiars who those who are not opera buffs. Enjoy!

What are some popular mainstream Opera songs?events opera theater

The Flower Duet from Lakme by Delebes
It really depends on what language you are going for...can you add that on into your question...Italin, French, German, etc..

I ask bc there's a big difference. I personally like the music from Le Nozze dei Figaro, but many people know Phantom of the Opera...

IT's YOUR ipod, whatever makes YOU happy...
Johnny Schichi!
Verdi:

"La Traviata"

"Rigoletto"

Those are 2 opera songs one might expect to hear in an italian restaurant... :)
I would listen to Amici Forever (AKA The Opera Band) The arrangements they do are easy to listen to for the novice ear and there are songs other could recognize.

My best advice is do not get caught up in the critical debates of Opera snobs. If you enjoy it and like it then it is good music.
O Mio Babbino Caro - Puccini (Gianni Schicchi)

Laschia Ch'io Pianga - Handel (Rinaldo)

Habanera - Bizet (Carmen)

Libiamo - Verdi (La Traviata)

Liebestod - Wagner (Tristan und Isolde)

My Dear Marquis - Strauss (Die Fledermaus)

Voi Che Sapete - Mozart (Marriage of Figaro)

Non so piu - Mozart (Marriage of Figaro)

Vedrai Carino - Mozart (Don Giovanni)

Der Hoelle Rache - Mozart (Magic Flute)

Sempre Libera - Verdi (La Traviata)

All That Gold - Menotti (Amahl and the Night Visitors)

this should get you started...check out the arias for the guys from Mozart's Magic Flute!
La Donna e mobile

Ride of the valkirees

Nessun Dorma

Flower Duet

La Habenera

Toreador Song
I'd say the "Queen of the Night" aria in the Magic Flute by Mozart. It's a coloratura soprano piece, and most people will probably recognize it. The other opera song most people will recognize is the main men aria (I don't know the exact name of the song...) from The Barber of Seville by Rossini. Ciao!
Pretty much all the Italian arias are daily listening with me. I do like much of the music from the German but not any vocal. To me German is not a singable language.

However, even with the Italian, look for the artist. You might be surprised at he great differences. For example to note a very popular one, Pavarotti does a very good Nessun Dorma, but Bjorling did it a great deal better, Martinelli's Otello outshines all others, Gobbi's Rigoletto can never be equaled.
Great suggestions from Whippersnapper and Wilsonmatthew! My company perform opera highlights live on stage, and our top requests are: (listed as title - opera-composer)

Nessun dorma - Turandot - Puccini

(used as the World Cup football theme a few years back)

Pearl Fishers Duet - Pearl Fisher - Bizet

Flower Duet - Lakme- Delibes

Largo al factotum - Barber of Seville - Rossini (fast and fun!)

Brindisi - La traviata - Verdi

Chi il bel sogno - La Rondine - Puccini

Bella figlia dell amore - Rigoletto - Verdi

If you're feeling adventurous, my favourite trio by far is:

Presentation of the Rose - Der Rosenkavalier - Strauss, (R)

Whatever you listen to, enjoy! iTunes means you can always listen to 30 seconds and see if it grabs you... Or go to my web site below and click on the "Hear and See" link and listen to us in action!