Opera is fairly familiar in Japan, even being included in school textbooks.
Still, many people may recognize the melodies without knowing much about the famous opera pieces themselves.
For those readers, we’ve selected a number of renowned opera masterpieces.
In addition to introducing the works, we explain them from various angles—the background of their creation, the appeal of the opera singers performing them, and more—so both regular opera listeners and those less familiar with opera can enjoy the content.
Please take your time and enjoy it to the very end.
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Famous Opera Masterpieces | Many Great Opera Singers Also Appear (1–10)
Queen of the Night ariaDiana Damrau
When it comes to the most famous pieces for soprano in opera, many people probably picture the Queen of the Night aria.
In Japanese, it is known by the title “The flames of vengeance blaze in my heart like hell,” and it is one of the signature pieces from Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute.
This time we’re featuring Diana Damrau’s rendition, and among active soprano singers, she is likely the one who performs it the best.
Nessun DormaGianfranco Cecchele
When people are asked to name a famous opera piece, many probably picture this one.
Nessun Dorma appears in Giacomo Puccini’s opera and ranks among the most popular pieces in the operatic repertoire.
The character of the song varies greatly depending on the performer, but Gianfranco Cecchele’s version, often cited as the best among existing recordings thanks to his vocal prowess, achieves an exceptionally grand atmosphere.
CarusoLuciano Pavarotti
The masterpiece “Caruso”…
This piece is not an opera.
Composed in 1986 by the Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla, it is, as the title suggests, a song dedicated to the great tenor Enrico Caruso.
Owing to its exceptional quality, it has been performed by renowned tenors—foremost among them Luciano Pavarotti—and, although not an opera, it is recognized as a highly prestigious work.
When Luciano Pavarotti sings this song, he pours his emotions into it from the depths of his heart, so please pay attention to that aspect as well.
La donna è mobileThe Three Tenors
“La donna è mobile,” the famous aria that appears in the opera Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi, a composer who epitomizes Italian Romantic music.
In Japanese, it’s known by the title “Onna-gokoro no Uta” (“Song of a Woman’s Heart”).
It’s such a well-known piece that even those not familiar with opera will likely recognize it.
This time, we’ve picked the version by The Three Tenors, known in Japan as the “San-dai Tenoru.” The perfectly synchronized blend of the three tenors is exceptionally captivating.
Core ‘ngratoFranco Corelli
The famous song known in Japan under the title “Katari Katari” is “Core ’ngrato.” Composed by Salvatore Cardillo, an Italian immigrant from the United States, for the great tenor Enrico Caruso, the piece portrays the feelings of a man who has been spurned.
Although it is not a formal opera, it has been covered by renowned tenors such as Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras, and it remains a work of enduring popularity today.
O sole mioMario Del Monaco
“’O sole mio’ is a classic that represents Italian canzone.
Since it’s included in school textbooks in Japan, many of you may already know it.
While it’s not officially an opera piece, it’s been sung by many tenors, so I chose to feature it.
This time, I’ve selected a version by Mario Del Monaco, who was immensely popular as a dramatic tenor.
His powerful voice pairs beautifully with the graceful melody of ‘’O sole mio.’”
MattinataLuciano Pavarotti
The masterpiece Mattinata, composed by the great opera composer Ruggero Leoncavallo, who created numerous famous works.
In Japan it is known under the title “Asa no Uta” (Song of the Morning), and it is notable for its romantic lyrics in which a man sings of love beneath the window of the house where his beloved lives.
This time, we’ve highlighted the version by the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
With his voice—often called the “voice of the sun”—and exceptional vocal technique, the romantic atmosphere is emphasized all the more.